MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Lieutenant Gen. Richard Scobee, Air Force Reserve Command commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Timothy White, AFRC command chief master sergeant, spent the March unit training assembly getting to know Reserve Citizen Airmen from Alabama’s only Reserve wing.
During their visit to the 908th Airlift Wing March 8, Scobee and White met with small groups of Airmen throughout the day to facilitate a more intimate, open conversational feel and enhance the dialect between the command’s senior leaders and members of the wing.
“We want to be able to speak directly to you and have you get information straight from us,” Scobee explained.
The day started with Col. Craig Drescher, 908th AW commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Tracy Cornett, 908th AW command chief, briefing Scobee and White on current wing business, some key successes and potential trouble areas.
Afterwards, the leadership team headed for small group discussions, first with members of the 908th Maintenance Group where Scobee discussed his three needs for the unit.
“I need you to continue to perform at a high caliber, I need you to always be ready to deploy and I need to get information to you,” Scobee said.
Next up was a small group discussion with members of the 908th Operations Group, where Scobee highlighted families and deployments.
“Your family is your No. 1 priority, and I will do anything I can to help you take care of your family,” Scobee said. “We have to make sure all of our families are taken care of so that we can do our jobs, which is to produce combat power for the United States of America.”
During lunch with the 908th’s annual award winners, the general relayed stories from his Air Force career, outlined command priorities and gave advice based on his personal experiences.
The command team also sat in on a 908th readiness briefing and followed that up with a group discussion with members from the 908th’s Mission Support Group and Aeromedical Staging Squadron, where diversity and inclusion were highlighted topics.
“I like our diversity and inclusion program because I think it makes the Air Force Reserve a better place for our members to serve,” the general said. “When we empower others to be successful, it allows us to retain incredible talent.”
White echoed Scobee’s comments by adding he is very proud of the command’s continuing diversity and inclusion efforts.
“They are a top priority for me,” said White. “We listen to people who bring value to the organization. We want and have people in charge who take care of all our valued Airmen. It’s proven that valued Airmen are more successful.”
“It was great to spend time with Lt. Gen. Scobee and Chief White,” said Senior Master Sgt. Eric Sharman, first sergeant of the 908th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, who was at both a small group discussion and lunch with the command team. “They had good personal perspectives to share with the group and those attending were invested in the future of the Reserve.”