Commander of ACC addresses Air Force issues at all-call

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Candice C. Page
  • Headquarters Air Combat Command Public Affairs
LANGLEY AFB, Va., --  Gen. Mike Hostage, commander of Air Combat Command, spent time with the Airmen of Headquarters ACC during three all-calls here Dec. 12.

During the meeting, Hostage addressed top issues within the Air Force such as budget, force management programs, sexual assault prevention and safety.

"This sequestration business, the grounding of squadrons, shutting down operations, stopping TDYs and civilian hires has been pretty tasking on the force," said Hostage. "The good news is I think we have a plan to keep our Air Force in the forefront to replenish, recapitalize where we can, refurbish what we must and to size ourselves to fit whatever budget Congress puts forth for defense."

General Hostage said in conjunction with the budget issues there are going to be some personnel shifts over the next five years.

"We will have to reduce the Air Force by 25,000 people over the next five years," said Hostage. "This is a lot of folks."

To make this happen, the Air Force has released a series of both voluntary and involuntary force management programs, starting with active-duty and civilian programs.

"Airmen who are eligible for the voluntary efforts are being notified," the General said. "What we are trying to do, is inform the decision of Airmen who are thinking of retiring or separating, and maybe incentivize them to do it a little quicker."

Although the voluntary efforts are taking effect now, if needed, the involuntary efforts would not be expected to start until early summer.

"Our hope is not to use the involuntary programs, but if we are not getting the commitments with the voluntary programs they will have to start by early summer," said Hostage. But in the midst of all the fiscal turmoil, the commander of the Combat Air Forces remains confident.

"Even right now as we sit debilitated with readiness challenges, recapitalization challenges and all the issues we are facing, I believe our Air Force is still the most powerful and capable on the planet, bar none," said Hostage.

Transitioning from fiscal challenges to the safety of Airmen, the General urged Airmen to take a stand against sexual assault.

"We all have a part in this, we have to change the environment and not tolerate behavior that makes people feel alienated or at risk," said Hostage.

A safe environment is the right of all Airmen, whether uniformed or civilian, he said. No one should ever feel at risk in their workplace or with their peers off duty. This requires a culture change, which doesn't happen overnight, but can and will be achieved.

"We've done this before," Hostage said, noting that the Service's culture toward smoking and fitness had been two such turnarounds during his time. The formula? Constant effort, repetition and attention.

The General explained that "off-color jokes, sexual innuendo and all the other things that make people uncomfortable," create a higher threshold "under which predators can operate." He urged everyone to take action to minimize this maneuvering room and force the predators out into the open."

"It only happens when all of us change what we accept," he said, and reminded attendees, as the old adage goes, "if you aren't part of the solution, you're part of the problem."

The General also asked people to act smartly, in the more traditional area of safety. Reminding personnel that the Command is in the midst of its Winter Safety Campaign, he challenged everyone to be good wingmen, and get involved when co-workers are seen embarking down an unsafe path, especially over the holidays on travel plans.

"Reach out and act, get them to second-guess any bad choices," he said.

Opening up the floor to attendees, the General fielded dozens of questions from Airmen of all ranks and grades. When the questions waned, he wrapped up by acknowledging the significance of the work being done by the headquarters.

Highlighting that five of the Air Force's 12 core functions reside within Air Combat Command, he said that as the Service had been evaluating mission areas and restructuring options, it was clear that the analysis, examination and integration work by the ACC staff was among the best out there, across the portfolios.

"Let me thank you for all you do and for all your hard work," said Hostage. "You all do magnificent work -- on the staff and for the wings -- nothing happens that you haven't touched, and it is well recognized."