New wing #1 priority discussed at Back-2-BLAZE day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Chase Hedrick
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Team BLAZE members came together May 13 for Back-2-BLAZE Day at the Kaye Auditorium.

Groups started their journey at Kaye Auditorium with a presentation from Col. Barre, Seguin, 14th Flying Training Wing commander, then moved to Hanger Three to learn more about safety programs, as well as how to participate.

With the previous wing #1 priority, the Unit Compliance Inspection, finished. Colonel Seguin focused his presentation on a new direction for the Wing. He said that by talking with the rest of the wing's leadership team he decided it had to discipline and compliance, and had to be something the entire wing could relate to.

"When I started thinking about core values, I started thinking about building leaders. You know we really already have something that encapsulates all of that and that is BLAZE," said Colonel Seguin. "We were talking with young Airmen both officers and enlisted and I felt like we needed to re-energize BLAZE."

Colonel Seguin said that the return to core values was in part due to concerns from all levels of leadership within Air Education and Training Command about discipline and compliance within the command. He said that while the concerns primarily were due to a flying aspect, the entire team should be built up in those aspects.

"All of these incidences that occurred throughout the command would not have occurred if the Airman involved had stepped back and been the embodiment of our core values. So getting back to an emphasis on core values was very important to me, and that was all there in BLAZE," he said "So I've elected to keep BLAZE, and as the wing moves forward I want to get back to BLAZE. I want to get back to our Airmen. You all know our mission now, you can all tell me what our mission is and I'm very proud of that."

Looking forward, Colonel Seguin encouraged Team BLAZE to focus on what that means to them.

"Now I want you all to know BLAZE and at all levels I want you all level thinking about how we get back to BLAZE so we don't just make this a hollow slogan," said Colonel Seguin.

Groups then moved to hanger three due to the weather that had moved into the area to see some of the safety programs and sound yet exciting opportunities in the local area.

Representatives from the Mississippi Sports Car Club Association, Core of Engineers, and the Mississippi state highway patrol brought in activities and takeaways to help keep safety at the forefront of Team BLAZE's mind as they continued throughout the day. Safety programs from on base including the dental clinic and public health brought informational papers, presentations and free safety equipment as well.