Welcome back, refocus

  • Published
  • By Col. Jim Sears
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Commander
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Welcome back from what I hope was a rejuvenating Holiday Season. Your time off was well deserved for you and your families and I thank you all for coming back safe and sound for an exciting new year.

As you know by this point, the mission never stops at Columbus Air Force Base. We are in a continuous state of Producing Pilots, Advancing Airmen, and Feeding the Fight. I didn't truly understand this until I saw T-6s flying until sunset the day before Thanksgiving. Let your family know that over the next month we will be increasing our operations tempo even more as the days are spent flying the largest flying hour program in the United States Air Force while preparing for the Combined Unit Inspection (CUI). Team BLAZE is constantly striving to be the best and the CUI will soon give us the opportunity to demonstrate this to the Inspector General.

There are a few key ideas we should all think about during the upcoming weeks that might help focus our energy and work. We all work very hard so we cannot simply work harder, we must work better or more effectively. We may be past the time where we can change processes or regulations before the CUI, but we must continue to focus on the efficient use of everyone's time and resources.

Next, never walk past a problem. I believe and expect that we will make everything we touch better. If something is broken, fix it or get the right team to do the job. This concept applies to every member of Team BLAZE, including our civilian and contract Airmen. Set high standards for yourself and those around you - self improvement leads to unit improvement.

There is also no substitute for hard work and determination. When the inspectors come to your work area, be proactive and take charge in showing them how well you accomplish your role in the mission of Columbus AFB. Sustaining a positive attitude with the inspectors and your fellow Airmen helps improve everyone around you and is a critical part in improving Columbus AFB and the Air Force as a whole.

Finally, never forget the importance of teamwork. Don't hesitate to ask those around you for help if required, as none of us can tackle this inspection alone. Teamwork is the crux of our endeavors, so take care of yourself and your wingmen. The CUI marks the end of a demanding few months, after which we will be returning to our normal, yet high, operations tempo. I am challenging you to continue your hard work in preparation for the CUI as only days remain until we demonstrate that we are the world's premier pilot training wing and community, developing the world's best Airmen.