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SecAF visits Maxwell, emphasizes importance of leadership

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Marco Flores-Disdale
  • LeMay Center Public Affairs

Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson visited Maxwell AFB Dec. 11-13 to discuss some of her priorities with Airmen across the base.

One of the main points Wilson underscored during her visit was that she and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein view the squadron as the building block of the Air Force.

“If we have great first sergeants and squadron commanders, we can’t lose,” she told the students at the Air Force First Sergeant Academy.

“There are a lot of things that don’t have to be elevated to the headquaters level,” she explained. “We need to allow well-trained people to use their experience, training and education and some common sense to do things appropriate to the circumstances.”

Wilson also said she appreciates the important role that Air University plays in national defense.

“This is the intellectual foundation of the Air Force. It’s all about airpower, air strategy, and it’s been that way since Air University was established,” she said.

Secretary Wilson told the Air Command and Staff College Class of 2018 that her highest expectation of them is to respect the Air Force core values.

“What I expect of Airmen is to live in accordance with our values,” she said. “I expect you to be focused, people-oriented leaders.”

Wilson also emphasized the importance of developing future leaders who will eventually become first sergeants and squadron commanders.

“Identify young leaders and provide them the opportunity to learn, to supervise, and to take care of Airmen,” she said.