AMC command chief visits Travis

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Donald Osborn
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Air Mobility Command command chief made an official visit to speak to Travis' enlisted members Oct. 2. 

Chief Master Sgt. Joe Barron met with Airmen from all enlisted ranks to discuss some current issues affecting them. 

His first stop was to the Airman Leadership School where he passed on a message from the AMC commander, Gen. Arthur Lichte, to the Air Force's newest leaders. 

"I want each and every one of you to know how much General Lichte and I appreciate all that you do for our country and for AMC," Chief Barron said. "We brag about everything you do for us here at Travis." 

"We brag about your efforts to the Senate, the Pentagon and up on [Capitol] Hill," he added. 

Some of the issues discussed were fitness, the new enlisted performance report and the Air Force's top three priorities. 

"Number one, fitness is not going away," he said. "It's too important for us, the mission, and the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who fight along side us every day in the Global War on Terror." 

Chief Barron also spoke about the new EPR system. 

"The best advice I can give you about the new EPR is to grade your people based on what they have earned," he said. "Be honest with yourselves and fellow Airmen because not everyone deserves the highest rating." 

"You have a chance as new supervisors to make this new EPR fair to all of your troops," he added. 

In addition to fitness and the new EPR, he also talked about the top three priorities of General Lichte: recapitalizing the force, winning the Global War on Terror, and taking care of Airmen and their families. 

These priorities also happen to be the same top three priorities of the Air Force. 

"We understand the need to recapitalize our force by replacing our aging aircraft," he said. "The average age of our airplanes is around 25 years -- most of us don't even have cars that are that old." 

The chief also encouraged Airmen to go out and tell their family, friends and communities how important it is for the Air Force to spend the money to replace or upgrade the aging fleet. 

"We haven't had an American [servicemember] attacked from the air in more than 45 years because of our air superiority," he said. "It's important we replace our old aircraft to ensure we keep control of the skies." 

Another priority he talked about was winning the war on terror. 

"We need to win the war to secure our nation's future," he said. "It's important for you to know that because the hard work you have done here for AMC; is allowing our troops to succeed overseas." 

He also informed them that AMC will be in the fight until the very end.

"AMC has been doing missions in that region for more than 17 years now, since the first Gulf War," he said. "And it will be AMC who will bring our people home once it's over." 

The last priority he talked about was taking care of our Airmen and their families. 

"We know, as an Air Force community, taking care of each other and our families will help us accomplish our missions," he said. "Our Airmen aren't the only key to winning this war. Our families play a major [supporting] role, and we know how important it is to take care of them as well." 

He also included, along with the families, the important roles of our civilians, contractors, and others who take care of the mission here, so we take the fight to the enemy. 

The chief concluded his visit by leaving the Airmen with a few parting words. 

"General Lichte and I would like to personally thank you and your families for your sacrifice," he said. "You are making a huge difference while defending freedom not just for America, but for all freedom loving countries around the world."