14th FTW/CC holds commanders call

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Corbin
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The commander of the 14th Flying Training Wing held a commander's call April 15 at the Kaye Auditorium.

Col. Roger Watkins, 14th FTW commander, spoke to BLAZE Team members about a variety of topics including the upcoming air show, the current force management program, the spring safety program, the unit compliance inspection set for next year and the proper procedures during an active shooter scenario.

The colonel said it is expected everyone will work one day of the two-day air show scheduled for May 15 and 16. It is the wing's first two-day air show and will feature the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the Army Golden Knights Parachute Team. In addition, there will be a base wide air show party May 14 at 6 p.m. and a wing FOD walk on the following Monday.

One of the "hot" topics during the commander's call is the current AF Force Management Program that is going to affect both officers and enlisted members.

"Our Air Force is doing an outstanding job retaining outstanding people - too good," Colonel Watkins said. "The Air Force is at its highest level of quality it has even been at."

Colonel Watkins said that mean's it will be quality people the Air Force is forced to cut to meet it's currently mandated end-strength.

"I cannot emphasize enough," Colonel Watkins said, "if you or your Airmen may be facing this, take advantage of all information available to you. It is important that we take care of each and every one of our BLAZE Team members."

In light of the recent event at Fort Hood, Texas, the Air Force is releasing information of what to do if an active shooter scenario occurs. Colonel Watkins said more briefings and information will soon be coming out to help prepare BLAZE Team members in case an event were to occur.

"We want to make sure you and your families have the proper information to respond rapidly and correctly," he said. More information can currently be found at http://www.aetc.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100413-047.pdf.

Another issue the colonel brought up was the wing's upcoming UCI in March 2011.

"You cannot get ready for a UCI in one month, or three months or six months," Colonel Watkins said. "You cannot pass a UCI by whitewashing your programs."

He said over the next several months there is a whole lot to do, and that we need to be able to show compliance with what the UCI team will be looking at.