CAG supports leadership

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Carranza
  • Staff Sgt. Christopher Carranza
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Behind the Scenes is a recurring series featuring Airmen in units that have big impact, but low visibility.

"If you believe a commander's call is a simple event to put on, it actually takes months of planning and set up to accomplish," said Maj. Joseph Haynes, Commander's Action Group chief.

The CAG is a four-officer team that develops, plans, coordinates and assists the installation commander and senior leadership to execute various scheduled events.

"We provide the highest level of leadership support to all three wings internally and externally," Haynes said.

Events range from commander's calls, mission briefs, distinguished visitor visits to local and state civic engagements.

Capt. Sarah Forte, CAG director of strategic communication, who is on loan from the 21st Airlift Squadron, said it is really interesting to see how the base interacts with state and local leaders such as mayors and council members who are involved and supportive of Travis.

"It's a great opportunity to be close to base leadership and hear what is going on," Forte said. "Being involved with the issues that affect the community, state and Air Force gives a better perspective and understanding of the big picture."

The issues that she said are, but not limited to, force management, green energy initiatives and other situations that need strategic communication engagement.

"I am responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing communications in alignment with the installation commander's policies and guidance," Forte said.

Partnered with 51 base organizations and routinely dealing with local, regional, and state governmental leaders, Forte and Haynes are joined by Maj. David Winter and Capt. Jonathan Anderson who complete the CAG team to take on the workload.

"It's a great job, a lot of hard work, but very rewarding," Haynes said. "It has been a good test of my personal leadership capabilities by the quantity and quality of events we host here."