AFMC commander visits Edwards Published Feb. 9, 2009 By Airman 1st Class William O'Brien 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Air Force Materiel Command commander visited Edwards Feb. 3 through 5. During his first visit here as AFMC commander, Gen. Donald Hoffman, held a town hall meeting. He discussed several topics that are important to him, including accomplishing the mission, professionalism, resource conservation, motivating experienced Airmen, both military and civilian, to stay with the Air Force, workplace diversity, prioritizing work and responsibilities, safety and the base's recent Unit Compliance Inspection. "Edwards has a fantastic history, performs a crucial mission and has a fantastic future to look forward to," said General Hoffman. Following his opening comments, the General went on to discuss the importance of accomplishing the mission and professionalism. "We need to safely and professionally execute the mission," said General Hoffman. "We are in the business of national security and that can only be accomplished by being professional at all times." The fact that tax-payers entrust the Air Force with their money to protect them, and that "we too are all pay taxes" were the General's reasons why it is important to be good stewards of our resources. He cited turning off electrical appliances when they aren't being used as one of the small things Airmen can do. "We need to protect, conserve and consume resources as if they're your own," he said. "When you're doing your job and you're using resources, treat them as if they are your own. You're paying the bill, because as a tax payer, you are." The general expressed the importance of long-term service, by both military and civilian members of Team Edwards. "Every one of you could make more money working for someone else, but you all joined the Air Force for something other than money," he said. "Reconnect to the reasons that you joined and help others around you to do the same by always having a positive attitude." General Hoffman then used the example of building a strong wall as a metaphor for the importance of diversity in the workplace. "If I wanted you to build a wall and I only gave you one ingredient could you build me a strong wall?" he asked. "Of course not. What you need is a diversity of ingredients formed together to create an effective wall." Not an advocate of the "do more with less" concept, General Hoffman said it's equally important for every unit to decide and prioritize. "We all have become accustomed to being told what to do," he said. "It's a rare practice to be told to let go of certain programs so we can focus on others. I would like to see that integrated into more standard practices around the AFMC." General Hoffman emphasized that the mission can't be done effectively if it isn't done safely. "We need to do things safely so we can continue to do (our mission) in the future," General Hoffman said. "As the United States Air Force, we are held in high esteem by the public. That is something we need to continue to earn by continuing to be professional." The general congratulated Team Edwards on receiving an overall score of Excellent on the recent UCI. However, he warned the base that in the future, the AFMC will have short notice inspections. "Congratulations to all of you in receiving an excellent in the most recent UCI," he said. "You all did an outstanding job in preparation. However, that will be the last long-term notice UCI you will ever have. From now, on it will be short notice. We want you to be prepared for it at all times." The general concluded by expressing his appreciation for the work that is done at Edwards every day. "I would like to thank all of you very much for what you do for your nation," General Hoffman said. "I know you all bear a little extra burden because you're somewhat isolated, but you're a very important part of the Air Force mission."