AF top enlisted leader visits Holloman

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sondra Escutia
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The newly appointed chief master sergeant of the Air Force came to Holloman Aug. 10 in one of his first base visits as the highest enlisted member of the Air Force.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy was given a tour of the base and the opportunity to share his priorities as chief master sergeant of the Air Force with Holloman Airmen of all ranks.

"It's easy to align my goals with the Air Force priorities -- that of the nuclear enterprise, developing Airmen and caring for families, working with our joint and coalition partners when forward deployed, recapturing acquisition excellence and modernizing our air and space inventory," said Chief Roy.

One of his goals as chief master sergeant of the Air Force - to foster the relationship with joint and coalition partners - is clearly exhibited at Holloman. The unique relationship between the U.S. and German air forces here dates back to 1992 when the GAF first brought training to Holloman, and four years later, the GAF Flying Training Center was activated as a tenant unit.

"How can you tie coalition partnership in more so than right here at Holloman?" said Chief Roy. "When I visited with the command chief and the commander of the German Air Force Flying Training Center, the fact that they do feel a sense of pride of being here at Holloman shows they are part of this team."

The chief said he hopes to expand the partnership with coalition forces by not just receiving personnel from different countries, but also sending U.S. Airmen to their countries and schools. He said he believes that time is not far off.

Chief Roy also demonstrated his priority of developing Airmen and caring for their families when he made a predawn trip to see off a group of 49th Civil Engineer Airmen on a deployment, and later, a group of 49th Security Forces Airmen.

"It's a sense of pride and Airmenship to see the training that we have put these forces through and see them primed, and ready to go out there to do the mission," said Chief Roy.

One piece of his advice for the deploying Airmen, he said, was to take care of their families while they're away, whether it be their spouse, children, mother or father.

He also offered his advice to the students of Airman Leadership School. Chief Roy said he was honored to attend the ALS graduation, which brought back memories of himself as a young noncommissioned officer.

"We have these brand new Airmen who have just gone through this absolutely dynamic training -- the best training in the world," said the 16th chief master sergeant of the Air Force. "We're going to send them out, charge them up to take the front line in being a first line supervisor ... charged with not just their actions, but others actions as well."

After visiting with Airmen and experiencing Holloman's mission first-hand, including that of the Unmanned Aerial Systems Formal Training Unit, Chief Roy said he was impressed.

"It's a mission of complete success," said Chief Roy. "As we bring on new air frames, add squadrons and bring the new UAS mission, and of course as the German air force continues to be here and partner with our Airmen, I think it's a dynamic place."