SNCO workshop offers snapshot of PACAF mission

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  More than 130 Senior NCOs filled the base theater Dec. 5 to receive engaging information about the mission at Eielson Air Force Base and the roles of the various leaders play.

In its second year, the Senior NCO Workshop initially organized by Chief Master Sgt Jerry Moore, 354th Fighter Wing Command Chief, offers mission perspectives to master sergeants through Chief Master Sergeants. The overall purpose was to provide an understanding of Eielson's mission within the Pacific Air Forces, and more importantly, the impact its mission continues to have as a result of informed enlisted leadership.

"Our goal was to expand the strategic view of our Seniors[NCOs]," said Chief Master Sgt. Alexander Del Valle, 354th Operations Group superintendent. "We wanted them to understand where they fit in the mission."

Chief Master Sgts. Brooke McLean, PACAF command chief, and Michael Warner, 11th Air Force command chief, elaborated on their respective roles and responsibilities within the 11 AF and PACAF. Each briefed mission objectives to help SNCOs understand where they fit in the MAJCOM or how they help the 3rd Wing with RED FLAG-Alaska -- one of the major missions for Eielson and Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Del Valle said.

In addition to understanding their roles and responsibilities, SNCOs also had an opportunity to network with other enlisted leaders on Eielson.

"We all know that F-16s fly everyday; folks in the OG know how they operate, but Airmen from the 354th Force Support Squadron may not understand all the ins and outs of how we operate," said Senior Master Sgt. Jonathon Mann, 354th Operations Support Squadron superintendent of aircrew flight equipment. "Vice-versa, OG folks may not understand how the FSS facilitates RF-A with food and beds. We understand that they do it, but we don't know how they get it done."

SNCOs are charged with providing highly effective leadership, accomplishing the mission and helping leaders make informed decisions. This cannot be done within a vacuum, looking only in a narrow-scope said Del Valle. It requires SNCOs to understand how their decisions have a ripple effect on other units.
"It really opened my eyes to the big picture," said Mann.