Iceman commander speaks about priorities, fiscal issues

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zachary Perras
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  One month into sequestration, the Iceman Team's top Airman took the time to discuss the way ahead for Eielson Air Force Base and its members at an all-call at the base theater April 5, 2013.

Brig. Gen. Mark Kelly, 354th Fighter Wing commander, relayed his priorities for the remaining year as well as his concerns about the impact of the current fiscal crisis.

Icemen's first priority remains to win the fight, Kelly said. Readiness for any operation is the primary focus, and the Eielson's current situation should be viewed as an opportunity to hone readiness skills and sharpen compliance across the board.

"We are still a nation at war," Kelly said, "and we owe our best efforts to our Airmen to have the right training, equipment and leadership to succeed - not only at work or in combat, but also in life."

Of his priorities, Kelly emphasized the need to strengthen the team. With Eielson's flying hours temporarily on hold, Icemen need to have a solid understanding of their significance to the mission and an equal understanding of their fellow Airmen's importance.

"We can't have folks thinking that their relevance is somehow less with flying hours down now," he explained. "Remember that important fact not just for you, but for the other Airmen standing next to you as well."

Despite cancellation of RED FLAG-Alaska 13-2, as well as Northern Edge, Kelly said Eielson must look toward shaping a brighter future. This applies not only to Eielson, he said, but as well as each individual Airman and the Air Force as a whole.

Kelly emphasized that Air Force leadership is doing everything in its power to ensure the service keeps moving forward. Hard times are nothing new to the military and many Airmen have experienced similar challenges in recent decades, repeatedly emerging as a better, stronger Air Force.

"There's turbulence in every aspect of what we do, and it's going to take a while for the dust to settle," Kelly said. "This chapter of your life and our Air Force should frustrate you - but tough people outlast tough times."