Team Little Rock hosts AMC command chief

Published May 9, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Regina Agoha and Staff Sgt. Jacob Barreiro
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Chief Master Sgt. Andy Kaiser, Air Mobility Command command chief, visited with the Airmen of Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., April 30 - May 3, 2012.

Kaiser, along with his wife, Debbie, attended numerous briefs, tours and ceremonies throughout the duration of their visit. The two took advantage of the many opportunities to talk with base Airmen, and applauded their hard work and efforts that keep the 19th Airlift Wing's C-130 Combat Airlift mission soaring.

"I'm absolutely impressed with the hard work of our Airmen keeping these planes flying day in and day out," said Kaiser.

While the efforts to keep the wheels turning impressed him, the AMC command chief said what he enjoyed most about his visit was being able to talk with the Airmen and people around the base.

"We had a fairly good idea of [the Team Little Rock mission], but the most important thing was being able to interact with our Airmen every single day, and seeing the phenomenal things they are doing here to support the mission of 'the Rock' and also down range," he said. "We've been able to get a better understanding of the challenges and the great successes that are happening in the 19th Airlift Wing by being here in person."

Meeting Team Little Rock's Airmen and their families was the highlight of the trip for Debbie as well.

"I've enjoyed getting to see the key spouses and learning about what they do for deployed spouses," she said. "I'm very impressed with what I've seen here."

Debbie said the role of the military spouse is a unique one, and lauded the efforts of men and women who support their husbands and wives in uniform.

"As a spouse, you need to stand beside your military member," she said.

Joking that military spouses should be required to go through training to understand the challenges they'll face, Debbie said patience and being able to juggle multiple responsibilities is pivotal for the military spouse.

"As a spouse, you have to be independent and be able to handle things on your own, especially with children," she said.

Maintaining a strong relationship is pivotal to handling the duties of a military spouse, said Debbie. Couples should also remember to take time out for themselves because that strong relationship will make trying times, like deployments and raising children, a little easier.

"It's a hard job, but it's also a rewarding job and I love it; I wouldn't trade it for the world," said Debbie.

The vast flexibility of AMC

Impressed with the mission here at "the Rock," Chief Kaiser called it a special and amazing one, and said he wants all Airmen to know their efforts on base affect the world.
"The sun never sets on AMC," he said. "We talk about the 'why' purpose -- why do we exist as a command? The why of AMC is 'Answering the call so others may prevail.'"

Answering the call requires a unique amount of flexibility and versatility from AMC Airmen, said Kaiser. AMC Airmen are always just a phone call away from providing support or responding to calls around the globe. The command chief also talked about flexibility required of Airmen regarding the upcoming draw down of U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization troops from Afghanistan.

"As far as strategic changes coming down the pipe between now and 2014 ... we do not see a huge spike of activity in Afghanistan, but we don't see a huge draw down from an Air Mobility perspective either," he said.

Kaiser talked about the record setting airdrops that took place in 2011, when more than 80 million pounds of cargo were delivered around the globe. He said the projected numbers for 2012 anticipated a 5 to 10 percent increase in airdrops, and that airdrop operations are critical for service members in theater.

"For the next two years, I see us continuing to do that - delivering hope," he said. "We don't anticipate any new major operations but, of course, we're always just one natural or manmade disaster away from another ramp-up."

Kaiser also mentioned the long term efforts being made to adjust the deploy-to-dwell ratio for active duty, reserve and guard service members.

"Our goal for the active duty is a 1:2 deploy-to-dwell ratio ... and 1:4 or 1:5 ratio for guard and reserve," he said.

Challenging leaders of today and tomorrow

The command chief also took time during his visit to talk with Airmen about leadership along with career and personal progression.

"There is a lot that goes into being a well-rounded person, but I'll try to keep it simple," he said. "Be the absolute best person and Airman that you can be today and, when you wake up tomorrow, say to yourself, 'I'm going to do all that I can today to be the best person and Airman I can be."

All of us should recognize room for improvement, in both our personal and professional lives, said Kaiser. Humility is an important aspect of becoming a better person; the command chief described humility as "strength under control."

"We need to remember it's not about us; it is about the cause we support," said Kaiser.
"No task should be beneath anyone. If I ever walk by a piece of trash and say to myself, 'oh, some Airman will pick that up,' it'll be time for me to retire."

The command chief was the guest speaker for the base's Airman Leadership School graduation April 30. A father of four and a husband of almost 29 years, Kaiser talked about his wife's strong influence on his career. The story, which had the audience in an uproar of laughter, brought him to the point of his speech: always choose the harder right over the easier wrong. He charged all Airmen, not just the graduates, to live by this method.

To explain his point, the chief asked every Airman to do something that's against nature. "Let's think about water," he said. "Where does it flow? Water flows in the easiest path. Electricity follows the path of least resistance. The wind follows a path where it can gain access. Those things all follow the easiest path. It is easier to hit the snooze button than to engage in early-morning PT, is it not? It is easier to order the hamburger and large fry than to order the grilled chicken sandwich with no mayo on the lettuce. It is easier to step over a piece of trash than to pick it up."

The chief said the graduates were stepping into what he believes is the most important role in the Air Force - first-line supervisors. First-line supervisors focus on and execute the mission while also growing the next generation of Airmen. He asked the graduates if they were going to choose the harder right by setting the bar high for the Airmen that they lead, or choose the easier wrong by making an average Airman an exceptional one by giving all fives on an enlisted performance report.

As Chief Kaiser spoke, the graduates sat and listened intently, nodding their heads occasionally, as to agree and answer the call.

Final impressions

As the Kaisers were wrapping up their visit May 2, they reflected on the opportunity to meet some of Team Little Rock's Airmen.

"When he first joined, we were newly married, expecting our first child, and we were going to join the military for four years, just to have our insurance," said Debbie. "Twenty eight years later ... we love it ... we just love helping Airmen and their families."

"We are very, very thankful for what all of the Airmen here in the 19th Airlift Wing and Team Little Rock, along with their families, do every day," said Kaiser. "We ask so much of them and they sacrifice so much, just so we can continue to live in freedom and provide security not only in this country, but to many other countries around the world. We are very grateful for everyone here at Little Rock, and we thank all the service members, your spouses and your children for what you do."

Chief Kaiser Visit