Officer call details expectations, thanks

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Chase Hedrick
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The 14th Flying Training Wing Commander laid out Air Education and Training Command lines of operations, officership and some of the accomplishments of Team BLAZE over the last two years during an officer call on June 1 at the Kaye Auditorium.

Col. Barre Seguin who is preparing for his next assignment as an executive assistant for the Air Force vice chief of staff called the officer call at Columbus Air Force Base his last planned opportunity to speak with the base's officers.

The AETC lines of operations are to have a Culture of Cost Consciousness, Respect Airmen's Time and ... said Seguin, who gave examples of how Columbus AFB has improved in each of those lines before expanding on The Culture of Cost Consciousness also known as C3.

"We're in a very different environment right now than I've known through my 23 and a half years in our United States Air Force," said Seguin.

The commander offered examples of past spending habits such as end of year spending to avoid resource cuts on money or flying hours. With current budget cuts and possible upcoming challenges Seguin said we are no longer there.

"That's the climate we're in right now, we're no longer in the 'spend it or you'll lose it' climate. The AETC commander called it the cost conscious culture," he said. "If there's a way to not spend money we ought to be thinking about it. And I will tell you that ought has changed to me must and we will."

Some larger ways Columbus AFB is saving money include minimizing the wear on the flags that line Simler Boulevard said Seguin. He challenged attendees to keep track of even the smallest savings by turning off computer monitors or keeping track of pens.

"We need to be on the leading edge on making this the way we do business, this cost conscious culture, because that's going to come back to reward us," he said referencing the base's win of Air Education and Training Command's Energy Incentive Award for the first quarter that garnered the base $250,000.

"Why am I concerned about this? Why am I talking about this now? I'm talking about this now because we've had at least two instances of unprofessional relationships that occurred here recently without the chain of command having knowledge of that having occurred with other people having knowledge that they occurred and not doing anything about it," he said.

Seguin gave nameless explanations of the unprofessional relationships that had occurred, and reminded attendees of the Air Force's definition of unprofessional relationships.

"My guidance to you all is if you know about these there's nothing wrong with stepping in to correct the individuals involved to stop. That should be the first action but it doesn't end there," said Seguin. "We are not a good old boy Air Force; we're an accountable Air Force. Instances of unprofessional relationships must be directed to the chain of command."

Seguin switched tones to detail the accomplishments of the base during his time here: 632 Pilots produced, IFF mission expansion and the most air traffic movements out of any other base, were just some of the accomplishments listed.

"Let me say a very sincere thank you on the behalf of Nancy and I for what has been a tremendous two years for us. It really is because of you all. The enthusiasm and energy I received from being around so many young and great officers, the finest America has to offer is absolutely exhilarating. I thank you for the tremendous job and the millions of moving parts and pieces you bring together on a daily basis to Produce Pilots, Advance Airmen and Feed the Fight, no one does it better than Team BLAZE."