CSAF focus group visits Hurlburt Field

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Kayshel Trudell
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

A focus group team for Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. David L. Goldfein, conducted interviews, led group discussions and facilitated large-group working sessions during a visit here, March 27 - 30.

The visit was one of a series of field visits to installations across the Air Force as part of the CSAF Focus Area #1 effort, Revitalizing Air Force Squadrons, to build better squadrons, Airmen and warfighting capabilities.

“I believe it is at the squadron level where we succeed or fail as an Air Force,” Goldfein said. “It’s where Airmen are developed, where Airmen and families thrive and where training and innovation occurs. I believe it’s where we make the most difference as leaders.”

An open session forum was held Wednesday for active duty, guard, reserve, civilian and spouses. The goal of the session was to find solutions related to topics such as high operations tempo, work-life balance and support for families.  These focus areas were derived from the Air Force Squadron Revitalization Survey conducted in January 2017.

“The participants in the evening session produced many great ideas on topics such as improving processes to support deployment cycles, reducing the negative impact of high ops tempo at home station, and strengthening squadron culture and morale,” said Wendi Peck, chief executive officer for Executive Leadership Group, Incorporated. “This group also identified several best practices from Hurlburt, including the Preservation of the Force and Family program, which could be leveraged elsewhere in the Air Force.”

 

Attendees of the forum broke into teams and worked together to pinpoint root causes of major challenges and brainstorm actionable solutions for a better way forward.

“This forum allowed leadership to show they care about making improvements for all Airmen and our families,” said Maj. Richard Harr, a weapons instructor for the 14th Weapons Squadron. “They are looking for solutions, and we wanted to do our part to be proactive and help find them.”

Contributions, ideas and feedback received from these visits will be used to identify best practices, remove red tape and empower leaders to find solutions. It will also prepare squadron leadership teams to improve readiness, effectiveness and morale for the future while fostering an environment based in resilience. Goldfein and his appointed team plan to visit approximately 20 installations worldwide in an effort to gain feedback from Airmen and families.