Top USAF chief addresses deliberate development of mobility Airmen Published Dec. 2, 2009 By Master Sgt. Angie Sarchet Air Mobility Command Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Today's Airmen are more skilled, trained and educated than they've ever been, said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy to an audience of approximately 4,000 people at the 41st Annual Airlift/Tanker Association Convention and Symposium in Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 30. To maintain that status, the Air Force must ensure its Airmen are afforded every opportunity for education, training and development, Chief Roy said. Enlisted Airmen comprise 80 percent of the Air Force, he said. Their development path encompasses formal military education, training and experience and the service is looking for opportunities to further enhance the Airmen of the future. To guarantee the Air Force remains the preeminent air, space and cyber force in the world, Chief Roy charged Air Force leaders with the deliberate development of Airmen. Providing Airmen with hands-on leadership, focus, training opportunities and a wide breadth of experience will ensure the Air Force remains the most professional and highly-trained air force in the world, he said. The Air Mobility Command perspective for enlisted development falls in line with the Air Force expeditionary mindset -- be trained and ready to do the best job anytime an Airman is called on. With 40,000 enlisted personnel deployed and 168,000 employed by a combatant command, ensuring the prescribed upgrade and on the job training takes place is vital, Chief Roy said. He also answered questions about the enlisted promotion reports, encouraging all supervisors to do the right thing by their Airmen, saying "gut check your ratings." Chief Roy praised Air Mobility Command Airmen and U.S. Transportation Command for breaking the ice on total force in airlift. Airdrops have proven to be a life-saving, reliable method for delivering vital supplies into locations where roads don't exist, the terrain is too mountainous, or the cargo is too heavy for helicopters or where the insurgent threat is too great. On the joint front, Chief Roy congratulated aerial refueling efforts for keeping the fleet airborne and building the partner nation capabilities. Air Force aerial refueling enables persistent close air support for all of the military services. Air Force tankers allow Air Force, Navy, Marine and coalition fighters, bombers and cargo aircraft to take off with more weapons and cargo. The U.S. is the only nation with this type of capability and on this scale. Aerial refueling also allows U.S. combat and cargo aircraft to fly nonstop globally, and, if needed, combat aircraft can loiter above a target for longer periods, deliver their weapons, and return safely. He reminded everyone of the unsung efforts in aeromedical evacuation mission, literally saving lives of military, civilian and coalition partners. Survivability of battlefield injuries is the highest in history and getting better every day. By using cargo or tanker aircraft, such as C-17s or KC-135s, with a universally qualified medical crew, Airmen are able to move more rapidly and efficiently to meet the needs of the injured warfighter. When necessary, AMC can re-task missions in theater that are already in execution and averages 6.5 hours from initial notification to wheels up for the most urgent causes. Chief Roy ended his address by highlighting the Year of the Air Force Family. Although it runs from July 2009 to July 2010, it's the year that never ends. It reiterates the service's commitment to Airmen and their families and highlights how much senior leaders appreciate what they do, he said. "There are many sacrifices that our Airmen and spouses go through each and every day that we don't think of, so please tell them how much the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force and I appreciate them."