MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Department of the Air Force leaders congregated for CORONA South 2023 at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, June 12-15. Members in attendance included the Secretary of the Air Force, Air Force Chief of Staff, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, and approximately 90 general officers representing each area of responsibility and functional area of operations.
The CORONA South summit provided DAF leaders with a forum to discuss global concerns and the Air Force’s operational strategy within the Joint Force. MacDill last hosted the summit in June 2021.
Last month, President Joe Biden announced Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. as his nomination for the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. If confirmed, Brown would become the first Air Force general to hold the top military position since 2005.
Brown’s Action Orders to ‘Accelerate Change or Lose’ have been a primary focus for the Air Force since December 2020, and were reemphasized at the last CORONA South summit.
On the final day of the convention, Brown and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass addressed Airmen assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing during an all-call. Brown spoke on the importance of mental health, recruiting and retaining Airmen, the capabilities of younger Airmen, and how the Air Force will continue to implement change to stay ahead of pacing threats.
“We have to be comfortable being uncomfortable to accelerate change,” Brown said. “Personally and professionally, I don’t play for second place. I play to win. Our responsibility as Airmen in our Air Force is to do the things that are important to make sure our adversaries wake up every day and say, ‘not today’.”
Brown added that developing multi-capable Airmen and implementing Agile Combat Employment would be critical components in a potential future conflict.
Three noncommissioned officers and one company grade officer were recognized during the all-call for their work performance. Bass said that current staff sergeants, technical sergeants, captains and majors are going to be the leaders that drive the Air Force forward, but stressed the importance of the role younger ranks have.
“You’re going to see more changes in the next two-to-six years than I have seen throughout my 30-year career, and much of that will come from our youngest Airmen,” Bass said. “Thank you for being part of the 1% who wears this uniform and defends our great nation - especially during such a consequential time.”
The all-call concluded with a question-and-answer session with remarks from Brown.
“I love what I do, and I appreciate being able to serve as your chief,” Brown said. “I love a challenge, and we got some challenges. We got work to do.”