AFGSC leadership visit 90th MW, 620th GCTS; see first-hand FIP upgrades

Published Dec. 13, 2014
By Capt. Eydie Sakura
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson and Chief Master Sgt. Terry West, Air Force Global Strike Command commander and command chief, visited F.E. Warren Air Force Base Dec. 10-11 to chat with Airmen and see first-hand the changes put forth by the Force Improvement Program that was rolled-out earlier this year.

"The FIP belongs to you," Wilson said. "The improvements and progress we've made so far are because of dedicated Airmen who cared enough to tell AFGSC leadership how we could do things better. They owned it. And they own the improvements."

The missions of the 90th Missile Wing and partner units were showcased during their two-day stay. Their visit began with tours and demonstrations by Airmen from the 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron supply customer service unit; the 90th Maintenance Group's service-tour survivable systems team, weapons storage area, and mechanical and pneudraulics shops; and the 90th Security Forces Group camper teams. They also showcased the new model defender uniforms; and chatted with company grade operators.

"To say it is amazing to have a [major command] commander have lunch with [company grade officers] from an operations group and ask for our thoughts and feedback is an understatement," said Capt. Melissa Urbansky, 90th OG executive officer. "Lt. Gen. Wilson genuinely wanted to hear how FIP was going, what our questions were, and if we had any recommendations."

The general asked crewmembers about their schedules and was pleased to hear positive feedback on the protected time off implementation, the Florida native said.

"[He] was also very transparent in the way-ahead for the helicopter replacement and discussions of a ground-based strategic deterrent," she said. "While we had a lot of questions, he had a lot of information to offer."

The last part of the day, they toured the various clinics at the 90th Medical Group and one area that has seen radical changes - the Personnel Reliability Program clinic.

"This opportunity is one that not many Airmen get to experience, and I could see that Lt. Gen. Wilson was listening intently to what I was saying and that he was interested in hearing about the positive impact the FIP changes have made," said Senior Airman Brittany Knight, 90th Medical Operations Squadron. "The best way to collect data after making a change in the work area is to listen to the individuals who are working the change and accepting their feedback, and I feel that he did just that."

The aerospace medical services journeymen from Park City, Utah, said when she referred to herself as a "little Airman that I am" the general corrected her and said she was empowered, and that all of his Airmen are empowered.

"That felt awesome hearing that," Knight said. "It's amazing to have leadership listen to what I have to say."

Wilson and West continued their visit by having breakfast with enlisted Airmen at the newly-opened and renovated dining facility, and then flew to Camp Guernsey, Wyoming, just north of the base in a UH-1N Huey helicopter. They spent time at the 620th Ground Combat Training Squadron and engaged in hands-on demonstrations, such as learning about the high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle, or Humvee, egress assistance trainer; engagement skills trainer; counter improvised explosive device lanes; breacher classes; heavy demo range for remote target engagement system; and multi-purpose machine gun range.

"We have some really smart, talented, amazing Airmen," Wilson said. "We'll be really successful if we can unleash the power of our Airmen. Let them do their job and then get out of their way, and they'll do amazing things."