Gosney discusses upcoming events at all call

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John Day
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Col. Douglas Gosney, 14th Flying Training Wing Commander, held three all calls May 23, 2017, in the Kaye Auditorium here.

Gosney first acknowledged and presented awards Airmen assigned to Columbus AFB have recently won. He emphasized two Air Education Training Command awards in particular, both of which garnered the 14th Flying Training Wing a total of $70,000 to use on increasing morale.

“These are some really great accomplishments,” Gosney said. “The two AETC awards have resulted in some big dollars for this wing. That money should benefit all Airmen and families on base. We have some great MWR events planned with this money.”

The wing commander discussed the results of the Unit Effectiveness Inspection. The base was marked as effective, the second highest
ranking achievable. Gosney congratulated the base for pulling together to achieve this goal and for continuing to uphold standards.

He then talked at length about upcoming and recent improvements to the base. The BLAZE Commons, Fitness Center improvements
and golf course running trails were chief among these additions.

The BLAZE Commons is now open and consolidates many of the 14th Force Support Squadron functions into one area while also offering
a coffee shop. The Fitness Center updates are set to begin in June, and include a renovated entrance, additional apace in the weight room
and more rooms for aerobics. While the Whispering Pines Golf Course has closed, the trails and cafe have not and the course will be renovated with a running track surface in the future.

“We are constantly looking at ways to give back to our Airmen,” Gosney said. “Tell us what interests you and we will do our best to accommodate and implement those ideas.”

Goseny spoke about the upcoming Memorial Day Retreat, Fireworks on the Water, the Air Force Birthday Ball and the 2018 air show, featuring the Thunderbirds.

He spoke briefly about the recent changes in leadership, both at the base level and at the 19th Air Force level before getting to his final topic, the value of Airmen’s time.

Gosney discussed some of the changes happening Air Force-wide to give back some of the lost time including the reduction of additional
duties across the squadrons and changes to Professional Military Education for both enlisted and officer Airmen.

He encouraged Airmen to bring up things needing changes.

“Where work happens in a wing is not at the group level; it is at the squadron, flight and shop levels,” Gosney said. “It’s those experts out
there getting the J-O-B done every day. If we’re doing things that don’t make sense or are too taxing because of our resources, let’s figure it out and work on getting back to doing the mission in the most efficient way possible.”

His final words were of thanks and pride in the Airmen of Columbus AFB for making our mission possible.

“I will end with a thanks for what you do,” Gosney said. “The mission here is impressive, but nothing in this wing gets done without everyone
doing their part. Every three weeks, we validate our mission at SUPT Graduation. I am humbled and honored to serve with you and I
look forward to another great year.”