19th AF Command Chief talks quality mentorship with Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cody Dowell
  • Altus Air Force Base Public Affairs
The 19th Air Force Command Chief toured the 97th Air Mobility Wing March 14-15, 2019. The visit was part of an inaugural tour to familiarize himself with the various missions of the numbered Air Force after he assumed his position in August 2018.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Erik Thompson, command chief of the 19th AF, visited several units across the 97th Mission Support Group, 97th Medical Group, 97th Operations Group and 97th Wing Staff Agency.

“My time allowed me to understand the complexity of the mobility aircrew generation mission,” said Thompson. “Airmen at Altus are killing it every day. I’m impressed how plugged in the Airmen are with the wing’s mission and also with the effects the mission has in garrison and down range.”

The 97th AMW mission is to produce aircrew members for stateside and overseas locations. That mission falls in line with Thompson’s priorities.

“My priorities are simple: aircrew training, support for the wings and developing Airmen,” said Thompson. “I would like to see Altus continue to explore new ways to get after creating air mobility crew members.”

“Forging combat mobility forces…Deploying Airmen warriors” is the primary goal for the wing’s career enlisted aviators. During Thompson’s tour, he had the opportunity to speak with the aviator instructors to discuss concerns of current and future operations.

“When it comes to career enlisted aviators, I’m biased because I am one; they fill an amazing niche in our Air Force,” said Thompson. “They are professional technicians delivering consistent results anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice. Aviators take an additional role to learn to be the best platform instructors and to ensure we are always working toward the next generation of aviators.”

This visit provided an opportunity for Thompson to be the guest speaker for the Chief Induction Ceremony. There, he remarked that the next generation starts with quality mentorship.

“It is an honor to welcome the new chiefs to the Air Force,” said Thompson. “I get the opportunity to share my thoughts on how their journey is not over and how it has just begun because they will learn to lead at the strategic level.”

Leadership, support and future operations were the focus of Thompson’s visit. Regardless of the day, Airmen of the 97th AMW strive perfect their craft in support of the next generation of combat mobility forces.