EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Air Force Materiel Command Commander Gen. Ellen M. Pawlikowski held a Commander’s Call to speak with Airmen at the end of her two-day visit here Feb. 13-14.
The general opened with a discussion of Air Force priorities, specifically the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s “big rocks” and AFMC’s role in them.
The general said the command and control focus area is an important one for AFMC.
“We will play a major part in influencing how this is accomplished and making it a reality,” she said.
Then she reviewed AFMC’s four major goals and how she plans to meet them.
The first two goals include:
1. Increasing AFMC’s agility in order to best support the Air Force enterprise; and,
2. Bolstering trust and confidence of those we serve.
Pawlikowski highlighted the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Munitions Directorate while talking about the third goal of “driving cost-effectiveness into the capabilities we provide.” The lab’s methods led to millions of dollars saved by the command.
The general then turned to the civilian force and the new Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project, or AcqDemo.
She said the new personnel system was a good step toward meeting AFMC’s fourth goal of “recruiting, developing, and retaining a diverse, high-performing, and resilient team.”
Pawlikowski also spoke at length about the recent federal employee hiring freeze and its effect on AFMC’s civilian-heavy workforce. The general said approximately 400 civilians per month leave the command through retirements or job changes. After a few months, the command will begin to notice those losses. The general said she directly addressed the issue with Air Force and Department of Defense leadership.
“It is a serious concern we have,” said the general. “Our civilian workforce is of critical importance to the national security of this country.”
She also complimented the base’s workforce on its recent accomplishments, including the 96th Test Wing earning another Outstanding Unit Award.
Pawlikowski presented the citation to Brig. Gen. Christopher Azzano, the wing’s commander, and attached the new award ribbon to the 96th TW guidon.
The Call ended with the AFMC commander thanking everyone for their continued hard work and a short question-and-answer session.
The general’s visit to Eglin also included updates on programs she learned about during her immersion tour here in 2015.