1 00:00:00,170 --> 00:00:02,640 - Good day from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. 2 00:00:02,640 --> 00:00:04,290 Thank you for joining us today. 3 00:00:04,290 --> 00:00:07,740 I'm Wendy Varhegyi, the director of public affairs for AFMC, 4 00:00:07,740 --> 00:00:10,610 and with me today is our commander, General Arnie Bunch, 5 00:00:10,610 --> 00:00:12,200 who wanted to make himself available 6 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:13,810 to answer your questions. 7 00:00:13,810 --> 00:00:16,050 We've received many of these questions from you in advance, 8 00:00:16,050 --> 00:00:17,900 and we appreciate that but please know 9 00:00:17,900 --> 00:00:20,190 you may still submit questions online 10 00:00:20,190 --> 00:00:22,210 during this live broadcast, and we'll answer 11 00:00:22,210 --> 00:00:24,650 as many of those as we have time to do. 12 00:00:24,650 --> 00:00:27,100 So with that, I'd like to turn it over to our commander 13 00:00:27,100 --> 00:00:28,410 for some opening comments. 14 00:00:28,410 --> 00:00:29,243 Sir? 15 00:00:29,243 --> 00:00:30,180 - Thanks, Wendy, I appreciate that. 16 00:00:30,180 --> 00:00:33,760 So good morning, good afternoon, good evening 17 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:36,820 to all of the Air Force Materiel Command that's out there. 18 00:00:36,820 --> 00:00:39,300 I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day 19 00:00:39,300 --> 00:00:42,120 to spend a little bit of the time with us. 20 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:43,040 I'll be honest with you. 21 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:46,510 This is the first time I've ever done a Town Hall like this. 22 00:00:46,510 --> 00:00:49,560 So when we get to the end, we welcome your feedback, 23 00:00:49,560 --> 00:00:51,260 and I would look forward to that, 24 00:00:51,260 --> 00:00:54,720 so hopefully we can make it even better in the future. 25 00:00:54,720 --> 00:00:56,280 Let me start with the most important thing 26 00:00:56,280 --> 00:00:58,890 that I can say today that you'll get out of this. 27 00:00:58,890 --> 00:01:00,150 Thank you. 28 00:01:00,150 --> 00:01:02,080 Thank you for what you do each 29 00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:04,710 and every day that makes AFMC successful 30 00:01:04,710 --> 00:01:07,000 and able to accomplish its mission. 31 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:10,670 Our mission is critical to the Air Force's success, 32 00:01:10,670 --> 00:01:14,030 and you exemplify those things 33 00:01:14,030 --> 00:01:17,000 every day in the way you execute your mission. 34 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:19,160 I've only been in the seat 2 1/2 months, 35 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:22,490 and Caroline and I are absolutely thrilled 36 00:01:22,490 --> 00:01:24,230 that we get the opportunity to work 37 00:01:24,230 --> 00:01:26,960 for and with the 80,000 plus men and women 38 00:01:26,960 --> 00:01:28,763 of Air Force Materiel Command. 39 00:01:30,210 --> 00:01:32,900 I thought I understood the mission when I got in the job 40 00:01:32,900 --> 00:01:37,140 but I've learned a lot over the last couple of months. 41 00:01:37,140 --> 00:01:39,610 We finished our immersions here within the headquarters, 42 00:01:39,610 --> 00:01:42,060 and got a lot of great information, 43 00:01:42,060 --> 00:01:44,810 and we have been able to do one immersion tour 44 00:01:44,810 --> 00:01:47,600 out with Tinker and that was very good. 45 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:51,910 I learned a lot, and the thing I'm most amazed with 46 00:01:51,910 --> 00:01:55,360 through the immersions, and through the trips, 47 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:57,740 and through the VTCs and meetings, 48 00:01:57,740 --> 00:02:00,229 is just how professional our workforce is. 49 00:02:00,229 --> 00:02:01,810 So we're really excited, 50 00:02:01,810 --> 00:02:04,220 and I look forward to answering your questions. 51 00:02:04,220 --> 00:02:05,430 - Okay, thank you, sir. 52 00:02:05,430 --> 00:02:07,160 Let's just start out, could you describe 53 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:09,520 the AFMC mission from your perspective, 54 00:02:09,520 --> 00:02:13,790 and define what your initial priorities and focus areas are? 55 00:02:13,790 --> 00:02:15,920 - So our mission is really critical 56 00:02:15,920 --> 00:02:17,360 to everything within the Air Force. 57 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:20,090 If we want to project combat power, 58 00:02:20,090 --> 00:02:22,090 and we wanna sustain our legacy fleet, 59 00:02:22,090 --> 00:02:24,422 and we wanna stay on the cutting edge of technology, 60 00:02:24,422 --> 00:02:27,273 and we wanna maintain a nuclear deterrent, 61 00:02:27,273 --> 00:02:29,810 and we wanna test all those things out, 62 00:02:29,810 --> 00:02:32,350 and we wanna be able to support the installations 63 00:02:32,350 --> 00:02:35,200 across the United States Air Force, we gotta do it. 64 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:39,191 So our mission is broader than any of the other MAJCOMS. 65 00:02:39,191 --> 00:02:43,242 I firmly believe that we have the most important role 66 00:02:43,242 --> 00:02:46,830 within this command, and our command is the most important 67 00:02:46,830 --> 00:02:48,360 if we're gonna be able to achieve 68 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:50,960 the National Defense Strategy objectives, 69 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:53,540 and if we're gonna drive to the Air Force We Need. 70 00:02:53,540 --> 00:02:55,928 If AFMC is not successful, 71 00:02:55,928 --> 00:02:58,200 then the Air Force can't be successful. 72 00:02:58,200 --> 00:03:02,700 So I believe that's really, my focus is supporting 73 00:03:02,700 --> 00:03:06,150 those efforts to enable the National Defense Strategy 74 00:03:06,150 --> 00:03:08,100 and the Air Force We Need. 75 00:03:08,100 --> 00:03:12,530 I also believe we have to operate with a sense of urgency. 76 00:03:12,530 --> 00:03:15,080 I firmly believe that we do our wartime mission 77 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:17,580 each and every day across our enterprise, 78 00:03:17,580 --> 00:03:21,302 and we have to act with that sense of urgency in doing it. 79 00:03:21,302 --> 00:03:23,640 Overall right now, my priorities, 80 00:03:23,640 --> 00:03:26,066 I need to listen, and I need to learn. 81 00:03:26,066 --> 00:03:28,460 I have a lot of experience in a lot of the areas 82 00:03:28,460 --> 00:03:30,820 around the command, and I'm trying to get up to speed 83 00:03:30,820 --> 00:03:35,220 on those that I'm not as deeply seeped in knowledge. 84 00:03:35,220 --> 00:03:38,120 And I am learning a lot, and people are being patient, 85 00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:40,550 trying to teach me areas, a lot of areas, 86 00:03:40,550 --> 00:03:42,283 and I greatly appreciate that, 87 00:03:43,141 --> 00:03:46,040 but right now I need to listen, and I need to learn, 88 00:03:46,040 --> 00:03:48,380 and then I need to see what additional things 89 00:03:48,380 --> 00:03:50,410 or changes we may need to make. 90 00:03:50,410 --> 00:03:52,330 So really it's how do we support the warfighter? 91 00:03:52,330 --> 00:03:54,530 How do we react with the right sense of urgency, 92 00:03:54,530 --> 00:03:57,210 and having everybody understand just how important 93 00:03:57,210 --> 00:03:59,400 what they do, each and every day, 94 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:01,710 is to what our Air Force needs. 95 00:04:01,710 --> 00:04:02,920 - Thank you, sir. 96 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:03,940 So we've heard a lot about 97 00:04:03,940 --> 00:04:07,300 the AFMC We Need initiative that you kicked off. 98 00:04:07,300 --> 00:04:09,390 Can you elaborate a little bit about this review, 99 00:04:09,390 --> 00:04:11,700 and have you seen any early data trends 100 00:04:11,700 --> 00:04:13,480 that have come in, and how will you act 101 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:15,540 on the recommendations that are provided? 102 00:04:15,540 --> 00:04:17,120 - So that's a great question. 103 00:04:17,120 --> 00:04:21,110 So the AFMC We Need is an initiative that I kicked off, 104 00:04:21,110 --> 00:04:23,340 and that I'm the driver behind. 105 00:04:23,340 --> 00:04:26,190 It is, when I talked earlier about 106 00:04:26,190 --> 00:04:29,250 the National Defense Strategy, and the Air Force We Need, 107 00:04:29,250 --> 00:04:32,550 what this is really focused on is what do we need 108 00:04:32,550 --> 00:04:35,190 the command to be able to do 109 00:04:35,190 --> 00:04:37,660 so that we are 110 00:04:37,660 --> 00:04:41,110 able to support that National Defense Strategy 111 00:04:41,110 --> 00:04:43,590 and driving to the Air Force We Need. 112 00:04:43,590 --> 00:04:47,910 What do we need to, what's impeding our ability to go fast? 113 00:04:47,910 --> 00:04:51,010 What is hindering our ability to execute the mission? 114 00:04:51,010 --> 00:04:53,760 And what I really wanna hear for the, 115 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:54,950 we're doing some external, 116 00:04:54,950 --> 00:04:57,670 but the majority of this is an internal look, 117 00:04:57,670 --> 00:04:59,160 I wanna hear from the most important 118 00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:01,320 people we've got, our Airmen, 119 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:03,340 and what I wanna hear is what are the things 120 00:05:03,340 --> 00:05:05,040 that are impeding your ability to get 121 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:09,270 the mission done so that, or what is causing you issues 122 00:05:09,270 --> 00:05:12,023 so that we can decide how we can go address those. 123 00:05:13,166 --> 00:05:16,860 We've done some external talks with some senior leaders, 124 00:05:16,860 --> 00:05:19,040 and we've done a lot of the survey groups and things. 125 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:21,377 We're getting a lot of good turnout on that. 126 00:05:21,377 --> 00:05:23,890 Some have even sent me their emails direct, 127 00:05:23,890 --> 00:05:25,160 so I'm okay with that, too. 128 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:26,600 If you wanna send me an email direct, 129 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:29,490 I am in the Global, (Wendy chuckles) 130 00:05:29,490 --> 00:05:31,360 but we're getting some feedback, a couple of areas right now 131 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:33,383 that are coming up pretty common. 132 00:05:34,900 --> 00:05:37,500 We're getting a lot of things on facilities. 133 00:05:37,500 --> 00:05:40,970 We're getting a lot of things on information technology. 134 00:05:40,970 --> 00:05:44,227 We're getting a lot of things on manpower and hiring, 135 00:05:44,227 --> 00:05:47,540 and right now, based on some of the comments coming back, 136 00:05:47,540 --> 00:05:50,550 it is clear to me that we have a communication problem 137 00:05:50,550 --> 00:05:53,667 relative to what our mission is and how important it is, 138 00:05:53,667 --> 00:05:55,300 and that's one that we'll have to build 139 00:05:55,300 --> 00:05:56,420 a strategy to go after. 140 00:05:56,420 --> 00:05:59,740 Those are just a few of the initial ones 141 00:05:59,740 --> 00:06:01,620 but I'm not trying to overreact. 142 00:06:01,620 --> 00:06:03,780 I need to see all the comments come back in. 143 00:06:03,780 --> 00:06:08,310 When we get those comments in, we will look for those areas 144 00:06:08,310 --> 00:06:11,140 that we have the most bang for the buck. 145 00:06:11,140 --> 00:06:14,420 Put our efforts into those first and foremost. 146 00:06:14,420 --> 00:06:17,100 We are gonna share a lot of the areas we get back, 147 00:06:17,100 --> 00:06:18,710 and if there's not a reason I can't share it, 148 00:06:18,710 --> 00:06:20,903 I wanna be as transparent with everyone. 149 00:06:22,330 --> 00:06:23,940 I've had some people say they're not really sure 150 00:06:23,940 --> 00:06:26,420 we're gonna do anything with this information. 151 00:06:26,420 --> 00:06:28,040 I've had some people say they don't believe 152 00:06:28,040 --> 00:06:29,203 that we're gonna share the information. 153 00:06:29,203 --> 00:06:31,790 They're not really sure that I'll do anything 154 00:06:31,790 --> 00:06:33,912 with the information we get back. 155 00:06:33,912 --> 00:06:36,860 If there's something there, and there's a gain 156 00:06:36,860 --> 00:06:38,770 that we can be had, we're gonna go do things. 157 00:06:38,770 --> 00:06:40,790 I want you to rest assured with that, 158 00:06:40,790 --> 00:06:43,830 and I really wanna encourage you to give the comments. 159 00:06:43,830 --> 00:06:45,730 I'm not gonna know everything 160 00:06:45,730 --> 00:06:48,920 that's going on in the labs 161 00:06:50,356 --> 00:06:51,490 at AFRL. 162 00:06:51,490 --> 00:06:52,940 I'm not gonna know everything 163 00:06:52,940 --> 00:06:55,240 that's going on in all the acquisition programs 164 00:06:55,240 --> 00:06:58,050 across the AFLCMC enterprise. 165 00:06:58,050 --> 00:06:59,750 If you've got things that are hindering you, 166 00:06:59,750 --> 00:07:01,850 if we don't know about 'em, I can't take action on 'em. 167 00:07:01,850 --> 00:07:04,660 So what I really am, I ask for you to do 168 00:07:04,660 --> 00:07:08,040 is provide us comments so that we can weigh 'em out. 169 00:07:08,040 --> 00:07:08,950 - Thank you, sir. 170 00:07:08,950 --> 00:07:10,740 One of the questions that did come in related 171 00:07:10,740 --> 00:07:14,850 to that is would IMSC ever become its own MAJCOM 172 00:07:14,850 --> 00:07:16,590 because of its broad mission and ownership 173 00:07:16,590 --> 00:07:18,610 across all of the installations? 174 00:07:18,610 --> 00:07:21,560 - So right now that's not one that is on the table. 175 00:07:21,560 --> 00:07:23,170 The way that I view the mission 176 00:07:23,170 --> 00:07:25,620 of Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, 177 00:07:25,620 --> 00:07:27,210 they are a key foundational thing 178 00:07:27,210 --> 00:07:30,120 that goes across the entire United States Air Force, 179 00:07:30,120 --> 00:07:32,340 and we are the MAJCOM that's accountable 180 00:07:32,340 --> 00:07:33,750 for how they perform that duty, 181 00:07:33,750 --> 00:07:37,610 both I want 'em to support us because we have installations, 182 00:07:37,610 --> 00:07:39,720 but I also want them to support the other MAJCOMs 183 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:41,080 for what they're doing to take care 184 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:43,890 of our Airmen and their families. 185 00:07:43,890 --> 00:07:45,770 The way that I see that mission is similar 186 00:07:45,770 --> 00:07:48,020 to what we do in the Sustainment Enterprise. 187 00:07:48,020 --> 00:07:50,740 We execute sustainment for the entire Air Force. 188 00:07:50,740 --> 00:07:52,690 Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center 189 00:07:52,690 --> 00:07:55,420 supports that mission for the entire Air Force. 190 00:07:55,420 --> 00:07:59,160 We execute the developmental test mission for the Air Force. 191 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:00,760 So there's a lot of similarities there, 192 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:02,740 so right now, that's not one that's coming up 193 00:08:02,740 --> 00:08:06,560 that I've got focused on but I'm not, 194 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:08,650 I'm taking anything off the table until we see 195 00:08:08,650 --> 00:08:11,040 what we think the gains would be if we did something. 196 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:12,540 - Okay, thank you sir. 197 00:08:12,540 --> 00:08:15,570 So shifting gears a little bit, despite our best efforts, 198 00:08:15,570 --> 00:08:17,430 the suicide rate in the Air Force is trending 199 00:08:17,430 --> 00:08:18,890 in the wrong direction. 200 00:08:18,890 --> 00:08:21,610 As such, General Goldstein recently directed 201 00:08:21,610 --> 00:08:23,260 the Air Force to conduct a down day, 202 00:08:23,260 --> 00:08:25,410 known as the Resilience Tactical Pause 203 00:08:25,410 --> 00:08:28,120 to better connect with our Airmen and civilians. 204 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:29,740 How will this impact the AFMC, 205 00:08:29,740 --> 00:08:31,563 and what can our people do to help? 206 00:08:32,450 --> 00:08:36,860 - So, our suicide trend is going in the wrong direction, 207 00:08:36,860 --> 00:08:40,050 and as I've said, our most valuable resource is our Airmen. 208 00:08:40,050 --> 00:08:43,600 And for me, and when you hear me say Airmen, 209 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:47,230 I want everyone to understand, I mean civilian and military 210 00:08:47,230 --> 00:08:51,830 because both, that we are a total, we're a more total force, 211 00:08:51,830 --> 00:08:56,080 and big A Airman than any other MAJCOM that's out there, 212 00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:58,560 given the number of civilians that we have. 213 00:08:58,560 --> 00:09:00,910 And our friends are not good in either one of those areas 214 00:09:00,910 --> 00:09:03,930 so what I want out of this, and what it means to us 215 00:09:03,930 --> 00:09:05,400 is we're going to take the tactical, 216 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:07,190 we're gonna take the pause. 217 00:09:07,190 --> 00:09:09,270 We're gonna have some time where we get together 218 00:09:09,270 --> 00:09:11,640 in small groups and we talk. 219 00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:13,980 And we're gonna talk in those small groups 220 00:09:13,980 --> 00:09:16,420 about what we can do to better look out for each other, 221 00:09:16,420 --> 00:09:19,552 and protect each other, and what we can do 222 00:09:19,552 --> 00:09:22,000 to more care for each other. 223 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:23,550 This is really important to me. 224 00:09:24,730 --> 00:09:27,320 I, and I've used this line before, 225 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:29,430 and some will, I love everybody 226 00:09:29,430 --> 00:09:31,610 in Air Force Materiel Command. 227 00:09:31,610 --> 00:09:33,420 There'll be days I may not like everybody 228 00:09:33,420 --> 00:09:34,840 quite as much as other days, 229 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:36,773 but I love everybody in the command. 230 00:09:37,690 --> 00:09:39,287 But no matter how much I love everybody 231 00:09:39,287 --> 00:09:41,570 and how much I wanna take care of everybody, 232 00:09:41,570 --> 00:09:43,620 I'm not the person that's gonna notice 233 00:09:43,620 --> 00:09:45,700 a difference in Airman Johnson working 234 00:09:45,700 --> 00:09:48,780 on the flight line at Edwards Air Force Base, 235 00:09:48,780 --> 00:09:50,760 or in Miss Smith who's working 236 00:09:50,760 --> 00:09:53,630 in a program office at Tinker, 237 00:09:53,630 --> 00:09:58,020 or Mr. Jones who's working in the Depot. 238 00:09:58,020 --> 00:10:00,330 The people who are gonna notice those differences 239 00:10:00,330 --> 00:10:03,180 and notice any changes, they're you. 240 00:10:03,180 --> 00:10:04,730 They're the people who are interacting 241 00:10:04,730 --> 00:10:07,130 with them on a day-to-day basis. 242 00:10:07,130 --> 00:10:09,360 You all are the ones best equipped to notice 243 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:11,849 any changes and ask questions. 244 00:10:11,849 --> 00:10:14,870 Please, don't be afraid to ask questions. 245 00:10:14,870 --> 00:10:16,400 You never know what a difference 246 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:18,190 you're gonna be able to make. 247 00:10:18,190 --> 00:10:20,210 You never know what a difference you can make 248 00:10:20,210 --> 00:10:22,970 simply by asking someone, "Hey, are you okay?" 249 00:10:22,970 --> 00:10:25,190 And if you find out something's not okay, 250 00:10:25,190 --> 00:10:26,740 we need to take actions. 251 00:10:26,740 --> 00:10:28,890 So what I hope comes out of the small groups 252 00:10:28,890 --> 00:10:31,100 as we do this is more of a bonding 253 00:10:31,100 --> 00:10:34,120 and a relationship that we have. 254 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:35,560 And give us a little bit of time 255 00:10:35,560 --> 00:10:37,700 to step away from the day-to-day. 256 00:10:37,700 --> 00:10:39,730 We're all very, very busy. 257 00:10:39,730 --> 00:10:42,030 What I'm really hoping this allows us to do is have 258 00:10:42,030 --> 00:10:44,530 a dialog with each other about what's really important 259 00:10:44,530 --> 00:10:46,990 and we can better take care of each other. 260 00:10:46,990 --> 00:10:49,810 And my encouragement to you is look out for each other. 261 00:10:49,810 --> 00:10:52,784 If you notice anything different, ask. 262 00:10:52,784 --> 00:10:55,250 That's the best thing that we can get out of this. 263 00:10:55,250 --> 00:10:57,703 We need to turn this trend around the other way. 264 00:10:58,570 --> 00:11:00,190 - Okay, thank you sir. 265 00:11:00,190 --> 00:11:01,980 So we've heard a lot in the news 266 00:11:01,980 --> 00:11:03,770 about issues with privatized housing 267 00:11:03,770 --> 00:11:06,270 and mold in the dormitories recently. 268 00:11:06,270 --> 00:11:09,400 What is the command doing to get after these issues? 269 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:11,487 - Yeah, so let me go back to 270 00:11:11,487 --> 00:11:14,110 our Airmen are our most valuable resource, 271 00:11:14,110 --> 00:11:16,210 and we owe them the ability to live, 272 00:11:16,210 --> 00:11:17,950 and their family members to have, 273 00:11:17,950 --> 00:11:21,350 safe living conditions and workspaces. 274 00:11:21,350 --> 00:11:24,831 That's critical for what we do overall. 275 00:11:24,831 --> 00:11:28,700 I had senior leader, squadron directors, squadron commanders 276 00:11:28,700 --> 00:11:30,620 in here a couple of weeks ago, 277 00:11:30,620 --> 00:11:34,950 and the message to them was if any of your Airmen come 278 00:11:34,950 --> 00:11:37,610 to you with an issue or a concern, 279 00:11:37,610 --> 00:11:39,370 take time out of your busy day, 280 00:11:39,370 --> 00:11:41,640 listen to them, find out what it is, 281 00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:43,730 and raise it to our attention level 282 00:11:43,730 --> 00:11:47,270 so that we can immediately get after these things. 283 00:11:47,270 --> 00:11:50,380 The way that I view these issues, 284 00:11:50,380 --> 00:11:52,970 I believe these are the equivalent 285 00:11:52,970 --> 00:11:55,420 of an Urgent Operational Need. 286 00:11:55,420 --> 00:11:56,550 For those that aren't familiar, 287 00:11:56,550 --> 00:11:58,810 an Urgent Operational Need is something that comes in 288 00:11:58,810 --> 00:12:02,290 from a combatant commander or from a major command 289 00:12:02,290 --> 00:12:04,710 that they have an issue that needs to be resolved 290 00:12:04,710 --> 00:12:08,010 for even what they're doing in combat or other things. 291 00:12:08,010 --> 00:12:10,150 To me, the fact that our families 292 00:12:10,150 --> 00:12:12,930 in many cases are living in some of these conditions, 293 00:12:12,930 --> 00:12:15,460 and the fact that we need to address many of these things, 294 00:12:15,460 --> 00:12:17,840 I treat that as an Urgent Operational Need. 295 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:19,240 That's the message that I've given 296 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:22,210 the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, 297 00:12:22,210 --> 00:12:23,950 and the message that I've given out 298 00:12:23,950 --> 00:12:25,640 to our center commanders, 299 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:28,040 and to the Air Force Civil Engineering Center. 300 00:12:28,040 --> 00:12:31,900 For this command, this is an Urgent Operational Need. 301 00:12:31,900 --> 00:12:33,470 We have to get after this. 302 00:12:33,470 --> 00:12:35,600 We need to be transparent with the families. 303 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:37,970 We need to talk about what we're doing. 304 00:12:37,970 --> 00:12:40,020 That's the message to everybody involved, 305 00:12:40,020 --> 00:12:41,980 so if you don't believe you're being heard, 306 00:12:41,980 --> 00:12:44,750 I'd encourage you to go to your first-line commander 307 00:12:44,750 --> 00:12:47,540 or a director, and let them funnel it up. 308 00:12:47,540 --> 00:12:50,740 If that doesn't work, take it up another step. 309 00:12:50,740 --> 00:12:51,807 And as I said earlier, 310 00:12:51,807 --> 00:12:54,450 "If that doesn't work, I'm in the Global." 311 00:12:54,450 --> 00:12:55,450 Okay? 312 00:12:55,450 --> 00:12:56,660 - Sir, thank you. 313 00:12:56,660 --> 00:12:58,470 So we've heard a lot about changes coming 314 00:12:58,470 --> 00:13:01,460 to the medical treatment facilities and the transformation 315 00:13:01,460 --> 00:13:04,900 that's going on across the whole Defense Health Agency. 316 00:13:04,900 --> 00:13:06,160 Can you talk a little bit about how 317 00:13:06,160 --> 00:13:08,410 that will impact our command, but more importantly, 318 00:13:08,410 --> 00:13:10,551 how will it impact our active duty and Airmen, 319 00:13:10,551 --> 00:13:13,270 active duty Airmen and their family members? 320 00:13:13,270 --> 00:13:15,210 - Yeah, so this is a big change. 321 00:13:15,210 --> 00:13:17,340 This is probably the biggest change 322 00:13:17,340 --> 00:13:20,440 that our military healthcare system has gone through 323 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:22,610 in probably the last 70 years. 324 00:13:22,610 --> 00:13:24,520 So it's a significant change 325 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:27,810 in the way we're gonna do business. 326 00:13:27,810 --> 00:13:31,260 We're gonna, there are multi phases to this, 327 00:13:31,260 --> 00:13:33,050 so I'll touch on the ones that are probably 328 00:13:33,050 --> 00:13:34,770 the bigger ones that are the most, 329 00:13:34,770 --> 00:13:36,950 that I would say impactful but that's not to say 330 00:13:36,950 --> 00:13:39,630 there aren't other things going on. 331 00:13:39,630 --> 00:13:42,990 The Defense Health Agency is gonna take over 332 00:13:42,990 --> 00:13:46,090 the oversight of our military treatment facilities. 333 00:13:46,090 --> 00:13:47,250 That's going to be one of the things 334 00:13:47,250 --> 00:13:48,940 that we're overall doing. 335 00:13:48,940 --> 00:13:52,400 We're going to shift what our military treatment facilities, 336 00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:54,460 for the most part, I say for the most part 337 00:13:54,460 --> 00:13:57,630 because each individual installation 338 00:13:57,630 --> 00:14:00,200 is gonna be looked at differently. 339 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:01,100 For the most part, 340 00:14:01,100 --> 00:14:03,330 the focus of the military treatment facilities 341 00:14:03,330 --> 00:14:05,450 is gonna be readiness for our Airmen 342 00:14:05,450 --> 00:14:07,430 so that they can execute their mission 343 00:14:07,430 --> 00:14:11,230 and be ready to deploy and do what we need to do. 344 00:14:11,230 --> 00:14:13,173 That's gonna be their primary focus. 345 00:14:14,147 --> 00:14:16,380 We're forming two new squadrons 346 00:14:16,380 --> 00:14:18,120 within the military treatment facilities. 347 00:14:18,120 --> 00:14:20,690 One of those is gonna be predominately on the military side. 348 00:14:20,690 --> 00:14:21,930 The other one's gonna be what we do 349 00:14:21,930 --> 00:14:24,180 to take care of the other aspects. 350 00:14:24,180 --> 00:14:27,060 A lot of our families are going 351 00:14:27,060 --> 00:14:30,630 to be going out into the private sector 352 00:14:30,630 --> 00:14:31,853 for their healthcare. 353 00:14:32,733 --> 00:14:35,570 That's gonna be done in a phased-in approach 354 00:14:35,570 --> 00:14:38,123 to make sure we take care of those families. 355 00:14:39,730 --> 00:14:42,160 I believe it's critical that we do this the right way 356 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:44,070 so that our Airmen and their families get 357 00:14:44,070 --> 00:14:45,750 the healthcare they need. 358 00:14:45,750 --> 00:14:49,030 I believe this is a retention issue that we need to address 359 00:14:49,030 --> 00:14:51,530 and take care of our families the right way. 360 00:14:51,530 --> 00:14:52,620 We recruit Airmen. 361 00:14:52,620 --> 00:14:55,040 We retain families, and we gotta make sure we provide 362 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:58,200 the right family care here as we go forward. 363 00:14:58,200 --> 00:15:01,640 We're taking, for us in AFMC, 364 00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:03,305 we're very involved. 365 00:15:03,305 --> 00:15:05,220 We're making sure we're taking 366 00:15:05,220 --> 00:15:08,590 the Defense Health Agency people out to many 367 00:15:08,590 --> 00:15:11,180 of our installations so that they can look 368 00:15:11,180 --> 00:15:13,993 at what the network care can provide. 369 00:15:13,993 --> 00:15:16,610 And if it's not adequate, then we need to make sure 370 00:15:16,610 --> 00:15:18,660 we're taking steps to take care of those families 371 00:15:18,660 --> 00:15:21,140 by leaving some of those people that may not remain 372 00:15:21,140 --> 00:15:22,900 in the military treatment facilities there 373 00:15:22,900 --> 00:15:24,720 to take care of those families. 374 00:15:24,720 --> 00:15:25,840 We're looking at those things 375 00:15:25,840 --> 00:15:28,730 that are unique to our mission, like occupational health, 376 00:15:28,730 --> 00:15:31,740 which is key at our logistics complexes. 377 00:15:31,740 --> 00:15:34,803 And how do we ensure we have that care taking care of. 378 00:15:36,051 --> 00:15:38,620 Recently, we non-concurred with one of the things 379 00:15:38,620 --> 00:15:40,750 that had been put up there because we weren't sure 380 00:15:40,750 --> 00:15:42,470 that our concerns were being addressed. 381 00:15:42,470 --> 00:15:46,300 So what I wanna assure everyone is we are actively engaged 382 00:15:46,300 --> 00:15:49,180 in how this is involved so that we're taking care 383 00:15:49,180 --> 00:15:52,460 of our mission, our Airmen, and their families. 384 00:15:52,460 --> 00:15:54,617 So that's our big focus. 385 00:15:54,617 --> 00:15:58,020 There are a lot of questions that are out there. 386 00:15:58,020 --> 00:15:59,730 We're talking to our civic leaders, 387 00:15:59,730 --> 00:16:01,830 and we informed them about that just last week, 388 00:16:01,830 --> 00:16:03,890 to make sure they're aware. 389 00:16:03,890 --> 00:16:05,780 For those families that have questions, 390 00:16:05,780 --> 00:16:08,380 I would encourage you to go to either your key spouse 391 00:16:08,380 --> 00:16:13,100 or the squadron commanders, squadron director. 392 00:16:13,100 --> 00:16:15,070 Put those questions out there. 393 00:16:15,070 --> 00:16:16,340 They should be funneling those up 394 00:16:16,340 --> 00:16:18,902 so that we can get 'em answered to make sure we're doing it. 395 00:16:18,902 --> 00:16:21,350 This is a significant change. 396 00:16:21,350 --> 00:16:24,400 What I'm asking for are metrics so that we can ensure 397 00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:27,290 that we are providing the right levels of care 398 00:16:27,290 --> 00:16:28,720 so that we don't drop the ball on this. 399 00:16:28,720 --> 00:16:30,430 We've gotta get this right. 400 00:16:30,430 --> 00:16:33,040 This one to me is very, very important. 401 00:16:33,040 --> 00:16:34,200 - Sir, thank you. 402 00:16:34,200 --> 00:16:35,570 We're just, for the next couple questions 403 00:16:35,570 --> 00:16:36,700 talking about retention 404 00:16:36,700 --> 00:16:38,130 and recruiting talent. - Okay. 405 00:16:38,130 --> 00:16:40,400 - And some of the things related to that. 406 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:42,940 So one of the key things is the ability to work 407 00:16:42,940 --> 00:16:45,500 in modern, state-of-the-art facilities, 408 00:16:45,500 --> 00:16:47,460 but as you know, a lot of our facilities 409 00:16:47,460 --> 00:16:49,460 and bases are not up to par, 410 00:16:49,460 --> 00:16:51,550 and really are out of date. 411 00:16:51,550 --> 00:16:54,094 And in particular, we had a question that was referring to, 412 00:16:54,094 --> 00:16:56,090 you know, a new base gym at Edwards. 413 00:16:56,090 --> 00:16:58,920 So there's a lot of different things going on. 414 00:16:58,920 --> 00:17:01,080 What can the command do to start getting after 415 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:02,370 some of these issues? 416 00:17:02,370 --> 00:17:05,773 - Yeah, so that's a great question. 417 00:17:05,773 --> 00:17:08,670 And across our Air Force, this is not unique 418 00:17:08,670 --> 00:17:11,050 to Air Force Materiel Command. 419 00:17:11,050 --> 00:17:13,630 Our facilities, over time, 420 00:17:13,630 --> 00:17:17,510 have not continued to be updated 421 00:17:17,510 --> 00:17:20,448 and modernized the way we need them to. 422 00:17:20,448 --> 00:17:23,980 Our backlog of work orders, and the amount of money 423 00:17:23,980 --> 00:17:27,420 that we've got in back work, continues to grow. 424 00:17:27,420 --> 00:17:30,060 We are highlighting those issues up, 425 00:17:30,060 --> 00:17:31,980 both to the Air Force Installation 426 00:17:31,980 --> 00:17:34,870 and Mission Support Center, and we're also highlighting up 427 00:17:34,870 --> 00:17:37,920 to the senior leaders within the Pentagon 428 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:39,870 to include our secretary and our chief. 429 00:17:40,830 --> 00:17:43,530 Secretary Wilson, before she left, signed, 430 00:17:43,530 --> 00:17:44,790 and her and the chief signed 431 00:17:44,790 --> 00:17:48,320 an installation strategy to invest, 432 00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:50,600 to buy down some of that risk. 433 00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:54,300 And to buy down some of those back orders, 434 00:17:54,300 --> 00:17:56,370 and to improve the facilities. 435 00:17:56,370 --> 00:17:57,360 That's been signed. 436 00:17:57,360 --> 00:17:58,780 It's a strategy. 437 00:17:58,780 --> 00:18:01,920 We're working on our budgeting process right now, 438 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:03,570 to see how much of that we can support 439 00:18:03,570 --> 00:18:05,750 and how quickly we can get there, 440 00:18:05,750 --> 00:18:08,360 but it was a firm, to have a document signed 441 00:18:08,360 --> 00:18:09,440 by the Secretary of the Air Force 442 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:12,120 and the chief that identifies 443 00:18:12,120 --> 00:18:14,780 that we're falling behind is a key step to me 444 00:18:14,780 --> 00:18:17,173 in being able to address those shortfalls. 445 00:18:19,140 --> 00:18:21,870 My first assignment at Edwards was in 1990. 446 00:18:21,870 --> 00:18:24,810 The facility hadn't changed any in the gym. 447 00:18:24,810 --> 00:18:27,610 Played basketball and slipped on the floor at times 448 00:18:27,610 --> 00:18:29,350 so I'm very familiar with that one, 449 00:18:29,350 --> 00:18:32,180 and many of the other gymnasiums 450 00:18:32,180 --> 00:18:35,300 and other facilities we have across our enterprise. 451 00:18:35,300 --> 00:18:39,140 We're working to compete, many of those ideas. 452 00:18:39,140 --> 00:18:41,760 I'm not gonna give you a "we're gonna fund all these." 453 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:42,700 I can't do that. 454 00:18:42,700 --> 00:18:44,500 That would be fallacy of me 455 00:18:44,500 --> 00:18:46,700 to tell you that as your commander. 456 00:18:46,700 --> 00:18:49,080 What I can say is we are addressing this 457 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:50,870 and trying to raise it to senior leaders 458 00:18:50,870 --> 00:18:52,463 so that we can get after it. 459 00:18:55,090 --> 00:18:56,803 So, we're trying, 460 00:18:58,200 --> 00:18:59,390 and I'll keep you posted 461 00:18:59,390 --> 00:19:01,940 on how we're doing as we move forward. 462 00:19:01,940 --> 00:19:03,430 One of those I know that ties 463 00:19:03,430 --> 00:19:06,480 into that is our IT infrastructure. 464 00:19:06,480 --> 00:19:08,230 That's one, that as I mentioned earlier 465 00:19:08,230 --> 00:19:11,770 in some of the feedback we're getting on the AFMC We Need, 466 00:19:11,770 --> 00:19:13,420 that one, we gotta go work. 467 00:19:13,420 --> 00:19:14,730 One of the things we're trying 468 00:19:14,730 --> 00:19:17,090 to do is capture our downtime, 469 00:19:17,090 --> 00:19:19,460 and the loss of productivity 470 00:19:19,460 --> 00:19:22,340 so that we can better inform senior leaders 471 00:19:22,340 --> 00:19:26,100 as to exactly the impacts and ramifications. 472 00:19:26,100 --> 00:19:27,750 What happens when we, 473 00:19:27,750 --> 00:19:31,090 based on our business, we're more business, 474 00:19:31,090 --> 00:19:34,200 we're productivity at the Sustainment Center, 475 00:19:34,200 --> 00:19:37,150 managing programs at Life Cycle Management Center, 476 00:19:37,150 --> 00:19:40,231 transferring data for the lab, and working programs 477 00:19:40,231 --> 00:19:43,300 and all that across our enterprise, 478 00:19:43,300 --> 00:19:45,180 we're probably more IT-dependent than many 479 00:19:45,180 --> 00:19:48,100 of the other MAJCOMs so we're trying to quantify 480 00:19:48,100 --> 00:19:50,850 and qualify what it is that we lose when we lose that 481 00:19:50,850 --> 00:19:53,098 so that we're making more informed decisions 482 00:19:53,098 --> 00:19:54,390 about our investments. 483 00:19:54,390 --> 00:19:56,140 That's the other piece we're trying to get after. 484 00:19:56,140 --> 00:19:57,530 - Okay, thank you sir. 485 00:19:57,530 --> 00:20:00,310 So you talk a lot about the importance of our people, 486 00:20:00,310 --> 00:20:02,880 and what are we doing to attract and retain 487 00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:04,889 the talent that we need? 488 00:20:04,889 --> 00:20:07,800 - So a couple things we are doing, 489 00:20:07,800 --> 00:20:10,060 and we've gotta do even better, 490 00:20:10,060 --> 00:20:12,310 and I praise Mr. Snodgrass 491 00:20:12,310 --> 00:20:14,450 and our teams that are out there across 492 00:20:14,450 --> 00:20:17,100 our enterprise looking at some of these innovative ways. 493 00:20:17,100 --> 00:20:19,170 We're using new authorities that we've been granted 494 00:20:19,170 --> 00:20:22,880 by Congress and by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. 495 00:20:22,880 --> 00:20:25,410 We're using direct higher authorities 496 00:20:25,410 --> 00:20:27,600 we didn't have previously to bring people in 497 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:29,893 much more directly and much more quickly. 498 00:20:30,930 --> 00:20:35,770 We are using headhunters now to go after certain job skills 499 00:20:35,770 --> 00:20:38,520 that are unique and special that we need. 500 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:41,200 We're holding job fairs, and we're actually giving jobs 501 00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:44,400 at these job fairs, and immediately bringing people in, 502 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:46,100 and avoiding some of those things 503 00:20:46,100 --> 00:20:48,720 that we have had to do before. 504 00:20:48,720 --> 00:20:51,053 We've taken back from, 505 00:20:52,300 --> 00:20:55,540 we had taken certain components 506 00:20:55,540 --> 00:20:59,590 of the hiring process, given those to other organizations. 507 00:20:59,590 --> 00:21:02,140 We've now brought them back in to AFMC, 508 00:21:02,140 --> 00:21:05,470 and we're already seeing improvements in turn-times, 509 00:21:05,470 --> 00:21:08,363 in processing times, to bring people on board. 510 00:21:09,223 --> 00:21:10,790 Those are ones we're doing. 511 00:21:10,790 --> 00:21:13,800 We have to continue to work in this area. 512 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:18,170 We have to, it's not just about recruiting. 513 00:21:18,170 --> 00:21:20,239 We have to be able 514 00:21:20,239 --> 00:21:23,805 to reward and award and retain. 515 00:21:23,805 --> 00:21:26,430 A lot of that deals with how do we communicate? 516 00:21:26,430 --> 00:21:27,870 How do we provide rewards? 517 00:21:27,870 --> 00:21:29,020 How do we award? 518 00:21:29,020 --> 00:21:31,010 And we're gonna have to do internal looks 519 00:21:31,010 --> 00:21:34,580 at what works in the commercial enterprise. 520 00:21:34,580 --> 00:21:37,600 How can we bring those in to our enterprise, 521 00:21:37,600 --> 00:21:41,470 and if we need to change laws, or guidelines, 522 00:21:41,470 --> 00:21:44,600 or what we need, those I need to understand. 523 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:47,990 And I've already told our personnel community 524 00:21:47,990 --> 00:21:49,330 that if we need to go champion 525 00:21:49,330 --> 00:21:52,380 something to change rule sets, I'm happy to take it on 526 00:21:52,380 --> 00:21:54,880 if you can show me the return on investment. 527 00:21:54,880 --> 00:21:56,370 So we are making strides. 528 00:21:56,370 --> 00:21:58,910 I like the fact that we're doing acquisition demonstration. 529 00:21:58,910 --> 00:22:01,610 I like the fact we're doing lab demonstration. 530 00:22:01,610 --> 00:22:03,710 I like a lot of the initiatives we're doing. 531 00:22:03,710 --> 00:22:04,930 We're seeing progress. 532 00:22:04,930 --> 00:22:07,165 We need to continue to see that progress, 533 00:22:07,165 --> 00:22:09,240 and it's just like the art of the possible 534 00:22:09,240 --> 00:22:10,290 in the Sustainment Center. 535 00:22:10,290 --> 00:22:12,970 When you find you've got a shortfall 536 00:22:12,970 --> 00:22:14,050 or you've got something that's 537 00:22:14,050 --> 00:22:16,360 a stumbling block, you attack that. 538 00:22:16,360 --> 00:22:18,640 You streamline that part of the process out. 539 00:22:18,640 --> 00:22:20,240 You find the next roadblock. 540 00:22:20,240 --> 00:22:21,740 You go attack that. 541 00:22:21,740 --> 00:22:23,270 We're gonna have to do some of that over time, 542 00:22:23,270 --> 00:22:26,140 and evolve this, so that we can do it better. 543 00:22:26,140 --> 00:22:26,990 - Okay, thank you sir. 544 00:22:26,990 --> 00:22:29,380 So continuing with the same theme. 545 00:22:29,380 --> 00:22:31,420 Many organizations, both inside and outside 546 00:22:31,420 --> 00:22:33,630 of the federal government, encourage teleworking 547 00:22:33,630 --> 00:22:36,990 as a way to attract and retain the quality workforce. 548 00:22:36,990 --> 00:22:40,240 What is the AFMC policy regarding telework? 549 00:22:40,240 --> 00:22:42,720 - So telework is one that we acknowledge 550 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:45,700 as a tool that is out there for the commanders 551 00:22:45,700 --> 00:22:48,160 to utilize in the right cases. 552 00:22:48,160 --> 00:22:51,120 It is not one that I have, as a MAJCOM commander, 553 00:22:51,120 --> 00:22:54,410 set a global policy that what we have to offer. 554 00:22:54,410 --> 00:22:57,490 What I wanna do is this has been pushed to the centers, 555 00:22:57,490 --> 00:23:01,230 and pushed down below that even within the centers. 556 00:23:01,230 --> 00:23:02,940 So what I would encourage you to do, 557 00:23:02,940 --> 00:23:05,720 if you believe telework can, 558 00:23:05,720 --> 00:23:09,340 fits into the job skillset that you have, 559 00:23:09,340 --> 00:23:11,840 approach your leaders, approach your supervisors, 560 00:23:11,840 --> 00:23:13,200 and work it through those chains 561 00:23:13,200 --> 00:23:16,980 so that they can look at it from a mission impact, 562 00:23:16,980 --> 00:23:20,510 and a how we get our business done philosophy. 563 00:23:20,510 --> 00:23:22,450 And if they support it in the field, 564 00:23:22,450 --> 00:23:25,420 then I'm not the one that would say, "No, don't do it," 565 00:23:25,420 --> 00:23:27,360 but I don't believe that's the right place 566 00:23:27,360 --> 00:23:28,720 for me to put a policy out 567 00:23:28,720 --> 00:23:30,690 that everybody's gotta do it exactly the right way. 568 00:23:30,690 --> 00:23:33,760 I think each situation is dependent, 569 00:23:33,760 --> 00:23:35,163 and I trust the commanders in the field 570 00:23:35,163 --> 00:23:37,390 to be able to make those calls and work that 571 00:23:37,390 --> 00:23:39,500 through the civilian personnel offices. 572 00:23:39,500 --> 00:23:40,610 - Okay, thanks sir. 573 00:23:40,610 --> 00:23:42,360 So we've had several questions related 574 00:23:42,360 --> 00:23:45,020 to the decision to eliminate civilian PT time 575 00:23:45,020 --> 00:23:47,100 at the Air Force Sustainment Center. 576 00:23:47,100 --> 00:23:50,570 Will there be a new incentive program that replaces that, 577 00:23:50,570 --> 00:23:52,930 or would you consider delegating that down 578 00:23:52,930 --> 00:23:55,010 to the airbase wing commanders or supervisors 579 00:23:55,010 --> 00:23:57,800 to manage instead of the blanket policy? 580 00:23:57,800 --> 00:23:59,273 - So I don't see it, let me start in 581 00:23:59,273 --> 00:24:01,670 kind of in a reverse order there. 582 00:24:01,670 --> 00:24:03,730 I don't see this as something I would delegate 583 00:24:03,730 --> 00:24:05,150 to the airbase wing commanders. 584 00:24:05,150 --> 00:24:07,580 To me, that's outside their job jar to understand 585 00:24:07,580 --> 00:24:11,230 the mission impacts to the Sustainment Center, 586 00:24:11,230 --> 00:24:15,570 to the Logistics Complex, to the Supply Chain wing, 587 00:24:15,570 --> 00:24:17,770 and everything else that goes on there. 588 00:24:17,770 --> 00:24:20,320 So I don't see it going to the airbase wing commanders. 589 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:23,363 I don't see that as being one that I would try to go with. 590 00:24:25,024 --> 00:24:27,630 This is not one that's across the Air Force. 591 00:24:27,630 --> 00:24:29,980 It's not one that's cross AFMC. 592 00:24:29,980 --> 00:24:33,240 This is one that Lieutenant General Kirkland, 593 00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:36,220 Sustainment Center Commander, made based off 594 00:24:36,220 --> 00:24:38,490 of a mission imperative for readiness. 595 00:24:38,490 --> 00:24:41,840 He looked at all the factors, and he's the one 596 00:24:41,840 --> 00:24:44,280 that looked at the productivity lost. 597 00:24:44,280 --> 00:24:46,090 He's the one that looked at 598 00:24:47,060 --> 00:24:49,380 the hours that we were losing, 599 00:24:49,380 --> 00:24:52,880 and right now, their rough estimate of that is 600 00:24:52,880 --> 00:24:56,190 about $150 million productivity impact, 601 00:24:56,190 --> 00:24:59,930 and about 500,000 work hours that we are losing 602 00:24:59,930 --> 00:25:03,310 the ability to generate and do this work 603 00:25:03,310 --> 00:25:04,990 that is impacted by that. 604 00:25:04,990 --> 00:25:09,070 That is what drove Gene to make that kind of a call. 605 00:25:09,070 --> 00:25:10,920 He didn't take it lightly, 606 00:25:10,920 --> 00:25:13,610 and he is setting up metrics to collect 607 00:25:13,610 --> 00:25:16,951 and look at all those impacts so that we can weigh it out. 608 00:25:16,951 --> 00:25:19,160 It was a temporary 609 00:25:19,160 --> 00:25:22,760 cessation or stop of that for a year, 610 00:25:22,760 --> 00:25:25,540 and then we'll evaluate, and we will go forward. 611 00:25:25,540 --> 00:25:27,705 But right now, I'm not looking to put up that. 612 00:25:27,705 --> 00:25:29,450 I would leave it to General Kirkland, 613 00:25:29,450 --> 00:25:31,890 but I don't think we're looking at an alternative plan. 614 00:25:31,890 --> 00:25:33,290 We are looking at how to make 615 00:25:33,290 --> 00:25:37,530 the fitness facilities available that our Airmen can use, 616 00:25:37,530 --> 00:25:39,690 and we believe that is critical, 617 00:25:39,690 --> 00:25:42,728 but from a mission imperative and readiness perspective, 618 00:25:42,728 --> 00:25:45,620 this is the decision General Kirkland's made, 619 00:25:45,620 --> 00:25:47,342 and I fully support it. 620 00:25:47,342 --> 00:25:48,200 - Okay, thanks sir. 621 00:25:48,200 --> 00:25:49,710 So shifting gears just a bit. 622 00:25:49,710 --> 00:25:50,543 - Okay. 623 00:25:50,543 --> 00:25:52,450 - You said that our peer adversaries are developing 624 00:25:52,450 --> 00:25:54,420 new capabilities that are starting to erode 625 00:25:54,420 --> 00:25:56,510 our technical advantage as a nation. 626 00:25:56,510 --> 00:25:59,030 What are some of the new things that AFMC is doing 627 00:25:59,030 --> 00:26:01,680 to counter these threats, to include the availability 628 00:26:01,680 --> 00:26:04,423 of inexpensive, small Unmanned Aerial Systems. 629 00:26:05,480 --> 00:26:09,420 - So that is a reasonably short question 630 00:26:09,420 --> 00:26:14,420 that I could probably spend an hour trying to address. 631 00:26:15,080 --> 00:26:18,700 So the things that, a couple things we're trying to do, 632 00:26:18,700 --> 00:26:20,260 and I'll talk broad first, 633 00:26:20,260 --> 00:26:22,570 and then I'll go after Small UAS 634 00:26:22,570 --> 00:26:24,437 because we are the lead MAJCOM for that. 635 00:26:24,437 --> 00:26:27,300 And I'll, if I forget that, hit me, 636 00:26:27,300 --> 00:26:30,941 and I'll come back to it, politely hit me, please. 637 00:26:30,941 --> 00:26:31,774 (people chuckle) 638 00:26:31,774 --> 00:26:35,560 But we are, a couple things we're trying to do, 639 00:26:35,560 --> 00:26:37,270 we're trying to streamline. 640 00:26:37,270 --> 00:26:39,040 We're trying to use the authorities 641 00:26:39,040 --> 00:26:42,240 that Congress has given us to do experimentation, 642 00:26:42,240 --> 00:26:47,240 prototyping, Section 804 things to push capabilities out. 643 00:26:47,280 --> 00:26:50,300 We're going through a strategy right now 644 00:26:50,300 --> 00:26:53,230 to look at how to implement the S&T 2030 Plan, 645 00:26:53,230 --> 00:26:55,390 which is getting at technological advantages, 646 00:26:55,390 --> 00:26:57,580 and how to move that technology 647 00:26:57,580 --> 00:27:01,070 at the speed of relevance into the field. 648 00:27:01,070 --> 00:27:03,750 I think that plays a key part in this. 649 00:27:03,750 --> 00:27:05,600 We're partnering with AFWERX, 650 00:27:05,600 --> 00:27:08,270 and a bunch of different organizations. 651 00:27:08,270 --> 00:27:10,770 We're doing pitch days to get new ideas in 652 00:27:10,770 --> 00:27:13,840 to see how we can innovate and how we can move forward 653 00:27:13,840 --> 00:27:15,700 in those areas to try to get capabilities 654 00:27:15,700 --> 00:27:18,737 into the field quickly and move. 655 00:27:18,737 --> 00:27:21,760 I think I said, it, but delegating is key. 656 00:27:21,760 --> 00:27:24,620 If you don't, coming to me in a lot of cases takes time, 657 00:27:24,620 --> 00:27:26,950 going to Dr. Roper, takes time. 658 00:27:26,950 --> 00:27:28,470 If we can delegate authorities down, 659 00:27:28,470 --> 00:27:30,470 and you can make a decision at a lower level, 660 00:27:30,470 --> 00:27:31,600 then I'm all good with that. 661 00:27:31,600 --> 00:27:34,200 If you've got the right wherewithal to do it, 662 00:27:34,200 --> 00:27:35,920 move out, let's get going. 663 00:27:35,920 --> 00:27:39,063 So those are things that we're doing internally, 664 00:27:39,063 --> 00:27:41,870 and I'd say those are pretty broad, 665 00:27:41,870 --> 00:27:44,980 particularly for Counter-Small UAS. 666 00:27:44,980 --> 00:27:46,940 One of the things that we just recently had, 667 00:27:46,940 --> 00:27:49,700 we had a pitch day for Counter-Small UAS. 668 00:27:49,700 --> 00:27:51,040 One of the other things, 669 00:27:51,040 --> 00:27:53,130 and that brings in innovative ideas. 670 00:27:53,130 --> 00:27:54,560 I don't have the results of that. 671 00:27:54,560 --> 00:27:55,810 I know that we awarded some 672 00:27:55,810 --> 00:27:58,230 Small Business Innovative Research contracts, 673 00:27:58,230 --> 00:28:00,330 and we'll let those go out and see 674 00:28:00,330 --> 00:28:02,240 what they deliver so that we can determine 675 00:28:02,240 --> 00:28:06,100 what we can bring in to give us more capabilities. 676 00:28:06,100 --> 00:28:09,220 Another one we're doing in this area is we're designing 677 00:28:09,220 --> 00:28:12,740 the system with an Open Mission System architecture. 678 00:28:12,740 --> 00:28:15,960 What that means is that if a new technology comes along 679 00:28:15,960 --> 00:28:19,560 that provides a capability against Counter-Small UAS, 680 00:28:19,560 --> 00:28:22,100 then we can quickly put it into the field 681 00:28:22,100 --> 00:28:24,160 without as much testing as we may have had 682 00:28:24,160 --> 00:28:27,870 to do in the past, and we can utilize that. 683 00:28:27,870 --> 00:28:29,600 We're looking very broadly. 684 00:28:29,600 --> 00:28:31,760 We're looking at any industry ideas that are 685 00:28:31,760 --> 00:28:34,420 out there for capabilities we can do. 686 00:28:34,420 --> 00:28:36,740 The other one we're doing that may not be 687 00:28:36,740 --> 00:28:41,268 on everyone's immediate forefront of their thought 688 00:28:41,268 --> 00:28:45,900 is we're working with the Federal Aviation Administration. 689 00:28:45,900 --> 00:28:48,930 We're working with multiple other organizations 690 00:28:48,930 --> 00:28:50,580 that have a say in what capabilities 691 00:28:50,580 --> 00:28:54,130 we can and cannot turn on, so that as we develop 692 00:28:54,130 --> 00:28:56,000 these things we don't get a great capability 693 00:28:56,000 --> 00:28:57,760 and bring it right to the forefront, 694 00:28:57,760 --> 00:29:00,270 and then put it on the shelf because we can't turn it on. 695 00:29:00,270 --> 00:29:02,110 So we're looking innovatively 696 00:29:02,110 --> 00:29:03,810 at how we do those things as well. 697 00:29:03,810 --> 00:29:05,620 So there are a lot of efforts underway 698 00:29:05,620 --> 00:29:10,100 to try to go faster, and we'll see how those progress. 699 00:29:10,100 --> 00:29:12,300 We'll learn lessons, and we'll move forward. 700 00:29:13,220 --> 00:29:14,800 - Okay, sir, thank you. 701 00:29:14,800 --> 00:29:18,070 So related to the innovation comment you made, 702 00:29:18,070 --> 00:29:21,760 a lot of us are unclear what innovation actually means 703 00:29:21,760 --> 00:29:24,070 relative to the AFMC mission. 704 00:29:24,070 --> 00:29:25,140 What are some of the things, 705 00:29:25,140 --> 00:29:26,650 in addition to what you've already mentioned, 706 00:29:26,650 --> 00:29:29,620 is the command doing to kind of leverage innovation 707 00:29:29,620 --> 00:29:31,760 across our entire mission set? 708 00:29:31,760 --> 00:29:32,593 - So it's interesting. 709 00:29:32,593 --> 00:29:34,880 Innovation is really kind of hard to describe, 710 00:29:34,880 --> 00:29:37,380 and I would say if you asked the 80,000 men and women 711 00:29:37,380 --> 00:29:38,920 of Air Force Materiel Command, 712 00:29:38,920 --> 00:29:40,840 you'd get 80,000 different answers 713 00:29:40,840 --> 00:29:42,800 as to exactly what it means. 714 00:29:42,800 --> 00:29:46,610 For some people, innovation is some cutting-edge technology 715 00:29:46,610 --> 00:29:48,440 that no one's ever thought of. 716 00:29:48,440 --> 00:29:51,170 For others, innovation is simply changing a process 717 00:29:51,170 --> 00:29:54,530 that we didn't use before, and so, 718 00:29:54,530 --> 00:29:56,500 and I'm for all of 'em, okay. 719 00:29:56,500 --> 00:30:01,240 I don't wanna stifle it and give it too vernacular 720 00:30:01,240 --> 00:30:04,512 of a, I don't wanna handcuff anybody 721 00:30:04,512 --> 00:30:06,643 with their own definition of innovation. 722 00:30:07,490 --> 00:30:10,860 We have great efforts going on in the Sustainment Center 723 00:30:10,860 --> 00:30:14,230 where there they've got innovation centers and cells set up 724 00:30:14,230 --> 00:30:17,640 to do how to use additive manufacturing. 725 00:30:17,640 --> 00:30:18,550 They got a lot of those. 726 00:30:18,550 --> 00:30:20,830 We're doing innovative things with software development 727 00:30:20,830 --> 00:30:22,510 in our Sustainment Center, 728 00:30:22,510 --> 00:30:24,200 in the Life Cycle Management Center, 729 00:30:24,200 --> 00:30:28,187 how we utilize our people, how we move people around. 730 00:30:28,187 --> 00:30:31,630 We use innovation in the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent 731 00:30:33,160 --> 00:30:34,850 acquisition because we've got 732 00:30:34,850 --> 00:30:37,340 a model-based systems engineering approach 733 00:30:37,340 --> 00:30:40,273 that's gonna allow us to do digital engineering. 734 00:30:40,273 --> 00:30:42,490 There are a lot of great innovative ideas 735 00:30:42,490 --> 00:30:44,120 flowing in through the Test Center. 736 00:30:44,120 --> 00:30:48,030 I know that the 412th Test Wing's doing some amazing things. 737 00:30:48,030 --> 00:30:50,470 So there are a lot of great innovative things 738 00:30:50,470 --> 00:30:51,303 that are going on. 739 00:30:51,303 --> 00:30:54,490 Pitch days to me are a great innovative idea. 740 00:30:54,490 --> 00:30:55,890 So we've got a lot of great work 741 00:30:55,890 --> 00:30:57,180 in a lot of different ways. 742 00:30:57,180 --> 00:30:59,330 What we need to do is capitalize on 743 00:30:59,330 --> 00:31:00,870 what's working in one place, 744 00:31:00,870 --> 00:31:03,090 and than promulgate that out to the other parts 745 00:31:03,090 --> 00:31:06,460 of our enterprise so that we, 746 00:31:06,460 --> 00:31:08,180 I don't need five people solving 747 00:31:08,180 --> 00:31:09,930 the same problem if I can avoid it, 748 00:31:09,930 --> 00:31:12,830 five locations solving the same problem if I can avoid it. 749 00:31:15,310 --> 00:31:17,510 If the 412th Test Wing 750 00:31:17,510 --> 00:31:19,470 under Dragon Teichert finds an answer, 751 00:31:19,470 --> 00:31:21,380 and they've got a way to go do it, 752 00:31:21,380 --> 00:31:23,270 then I'm hoping that they can share that 753 00:31:23,270 --> 00:31:25,570 with General Schmidt, and General Kubinec, 754 00:31:25,570 --> 00:31:27,900 and all the other locations so that we don't have 755 00:31:27,900 --> 00:31:30,520 to go attack it multiple places. 756 00:31:30,520 --> 00:31:32,200 - Okay, thank you sir. - Okay? 757 00:31:32,200 --> 00:31:35,690 - So obviously AFMC has a large civilian workforce. 758 00:31:35,690 --> 00:31:39,380 What do you see as the role of civilians 759 00:31:39,380 --> 00:31:41,160 in terms of helping the Air Force meet 760 00:31:41,160 --> 00:31:43,240 the requirements of the NDS, 761 00:31:43,240 --> 00:31:46,320 and then in particular as a follow on to that, 762 00:31:46,320 --> 00:31:47,840 about wage-grade employees. 763 00:31:47,840 --> 00:31:51,480 How do we see their career development and progression? 764 00:31:51,480 --> 00:31:53,240 So just talk a little bit 765 00:31:53,240 --> 00:31:55,840 about civilian importance in our command. 766 00:31:55,840 --> 00:31:57,600 - Yeah, so I, 767 00:31:59,230 --> 00:32:02,870 one of the things that I've tried to forbid 768 00:32:02,870 --> 00:32:07,660 within the center staff here is when anyone talks to me 769 00:32:07,660 --> 00:32:10,527 about civilians and military, what I tell 'em is, 770 00:32:10,527 --> 00:32:12,710 "I wanna hear about Airmen," 771 00:32:12,710 --> 00:32:15,260 because I see our civilian workforce as key, 772 00:32:15,260 --> 00:32:16,640 and they're part of our overall Airmen 773 00:32:16,640 --> 00:32:18,360 that we've gotta take are of. 774 00:32:18,360 --> 00:32:19,410 We've gotta develop. 775 00:32:19,410 --> 00:32:22,800 We've gotta make sure we're doing the right things for them. 776 00:32:22,800 --> 00:32:26,650 They are key to our ability to go forward. 777 00:32:26,650 --> 00:32:30,290 Our civilian workforce is extremely diverse, 778 00:32:30,290 --> 00:32:34,400 and we are heavily dependent on each and every one of them. 779 00:32:34,400 --> 00:32:36,720 It ranges from PhDs in areas 780 00:32:36,720 --> 00:32:38,420 that I couldn't even begin to announce 781 00:32:38,420 --> 00:32:40,550 what they got their PhD in, 782 00:32:40,550 --> 00:32:42,240 to men and women that are doing things 783 00:32:42,240 --> 00:32:44,120 on installations each and every day, 784 00:32:44,120 --> 00:32:46,030 and doing things within the Sustainment Center 785 00:32:46,030 --> 00:32:48,580 each and every day to accomplish the mission. 786 00:32:48,580 --> 00:32:51,790 So we are an extremely diverse organization. 787 00:32:51,790 --> 00:32:56,660 Each and every Airman is critical to our ability to do it. 788 00:32:56,660 --> 00:32:59,080 We need to create an environment where each 789 00:32:59,080 --> 00:33:01,540 and every one of them has the opportunity 790 00:33:01,540 --> 00:33:04,240 to succeed in their workplace, 791 00:33:04,240 --> 00:33:07,870 and not be hindered in their ability to succeed. 792 00:33:07,870 --> 00:33:10,100 And we need to be able to develop them 793 00:33:10,100 --> 00:33:13,130 so that they can grow into 794 00:33:13,130 --> 00:33:16,550 what they wanna be and get those opportunities. 795 00:33:16,550 --> 00:33:19,915 So our civilian workforce, our Airmen, 796 00:33:19,915 --> 00:33:23,750 critical to what we're gonna be able to do in this MAJCOM. 797 00:33:23,750 --> 00:33:25,770 And having served in this MAJCOM, 798 00:33:25,770 --> 00:33:28,960 I started in this MAJCOM in 1992. 799 00:33:28,960 --> 00:33:30,920 Many of the people that have mentored me, 800 00:33:30,920 --> 00:33:33,780 guided me, shaped what I am today 801 00:33:33,780 --> 00:33:37,520 as an Air Force officer, are civilians. 802 00:33:37,520 --> 00:33:38,720 They've taught me. 803 00:33:38,720 --> 00:33:42,520 I learn each and every day from the many men and women 804 00:33:42,520 --> 00:33:44,900 that are out there who are civilian Airmen. 805 00:33:44,900 --> 00:33:46,970 So very critical to what we're doing. 806 00:33:46,970 --> 00:33:48,260 - Okay, thanks, sir. 807 00:33:48,260 --> 00:33:50,250 So somewhat related to our earlier question 808 00:33:50,250 --> 00:33:53,910 about resiliency, can you explain the wingman concept 809 00:33:53,910 --> 00:33:56,140 across the command, and in particular, 810 00:33:56,140 --> 00:33:58,330 what resources does the command have in place 811 00:33:58,330 --> 00:34:00,190 for our military and civilian Airmen, 812 00:34:00,190 --> 00:34:02,780 and especially their families in times of need, 813 00:34:02,780 --> 00:34:05,920 which obviously was, obviously this weekend here 814 00:34:05,920 --> 00:34:09,270 in the Dayton area with the tragedies of this weekend? 815 00:34:09,270 --> 00:34:10,187 - Yeah, so, 816 00:34:12,913 --> 00:34:16,430 the importance of those agencies couldn't be 817 00:34:16,430 --> 00:34:19,790 any more critically witnessed than what happened 818 00:34:19,790 --> 00:34:21,700 at the tragedy at Dayton this week. 819 00:34:21,700 --> 00:34:23,920 And I know each location's had their tragedies 820 00:34:23,920 --> 00:34:27,180 but this is one that's the newest one 821 00:34:27,180 --> 00:34:31,620 but the fact that Colonel Sherman and the team here put 822 00:34:31,620 --> 00:34:34,110 the helping agencies, made 'em available 823 00:34:34,110 --> 00:34:36,250 for two straight days for everyone, 824 00:34:36,250 --> 00:34:38,080 and got messages out to all the leaders 825 00:34:38,080 --> 00:34:40,050 that if they had people that needed assistance, 826 00:34:40,050 --> 00:34:41,700 they would support them. 827 00:34:41,700 --> 00:34:43,140 That's what this is really all about. 828 00:34:43,140 --> 00:34:46,685 That's true of being wingmen and looking out for each other, 829 00:34:46,685 --> 00:34:49,350 and making sure that we let everybody know 830 00:34:49,350 --> 00:34:52,840 the Employee Assistance Programs were available. 831 00:34:52,840 --> 00:34:55,460 For those civilians that are out there, 832 00:34:55,460 --> 00:34:56,913 that's available 24/7. 833 00:34:56,913 --> 00:34:59,853 They can call anytime, and they talk to a person. 834 00:35:00,700 --> 00:35:01,900 They're not getting a voicemail. 835 00:35:01,900 --> 00:35:04,290 So those are assets that we have always available. 836 00:35:04,290 --> 00:35:08,040 To me, the wingman concept goes back to, and it's, 837 00:35:08,040 --> 00:35:11,230 I can't, as a bomber guy and learning all this, 838 00:35:11,230 --> 00:35:13,260 it wasn't exactly the way we did bomber ops, 839 00:35:13,260 --> 00:35:15,460 although we did fly in formations, 840 00:35:15,460 --> 00:35:18,290 but it's kind of comes out of the concept 841 00:35:18,290 --> 00:35:21,400 of employing air power in formations 842 00:35:21,400 --> 00:35:23,110 and looking out for each other. 843 00:35:23,110 --> 00:35:25,320 And the wingman being the one that's watching 844 00:35:25,320 --> 00:35:26,780 what the leads doing, and making sure 845 00:35:26,780 --> 00:35:28,420 they're protecting them, and letting 'em know 846 00:35:28,420 --> 00:35:31,230 what's going on, and never leaving 'em behind, 847 00:35:31,230 --> 00:35:32,063 and taking care of 'em. 848 00:35:32,063 --> 00:35:34,860 That's the whole genesis of the wingman concept. 849 00:35:34,860 --> 00:35:36,700 In our environment, what it really means, 850 00:35:36,700 --> 00:35:37,990 it goes back to what I talked about, 851 00:35:37,990 --> 00:35:40,810 the importance of why I believe the tactical pause, 852 00:35:40,810 --> 00:35:42,490 if you wanna call it that, 853 00:35:42,490 --> 00:35:45,330 which is what we've called it, is so important. 854 00:35:45,330 --> 00:35:48,300 It's us looking out for each other. 855 00:35:48,300 --> 00:35:51,920 It's us noticing something within our workplace, 856 00:35:51,920 --> 00:35:53,373 and being wiling to go, 857 00:35:55,377 --> 00:35:57,727 "You aren't wearing any makeup today, 858 00:35:57,727 --> 00:35:59,477 "and you always do. 859 00:35:59,477 --> 00:36:00,870 "Is everything okay?" 860 00:36:00,870 --> 00:36:03,227 Or, "Your uniform doesn't look right. 861 00:36:03,227 --> 00:36:05,407 "Your uniform always looks impeccable. 862 00:36:05,407 --> 00:36:08,550 "Is there anything going on that I need to be aware of?" 863 00:36:08,550 --> 00:36:10,630 Or just asking, "How are you doing?" 864 00:36:10,630 --> 00:36:14,700 You never, don't ever under-appreciate 865 00:36:14,700 --> 00:36:16,950 how important that is to our people. 866 00:36:16,950 --> 00:36:18,870 The reality of it is the men and women 867 00:36:18,870 --> 00:36:22,860 that work within this command spend more time working 868 00:36:22,860 --> 00:36:26,033 in the command than they probably spend with their families. 869 00:36:27,380 --> 00:36:29,160 And we need to be looking out for each other 870 00:36:29,160 --> 00:36:31,340 because each and every one of you is critical 871 00:36:31,340 --> 00:36:33,660 to our ability to execute the mission. 872 00:36:33,660 --> 00:36:35,910 So that's really what the wingman concept means to me. 873 00:36:35,910 --> 00:36:36,750 - Thanks, sir. 874 00:36:36,750 --> 00:36:39,730 So I'm gonna circle back, just on the PT question. 875 00:36:39,730 --> 00:36:41,440 We've seen many comments that have come in, 876 00:36:41,440 --> 00:36:44,700 talking about this being kind of a hit to morale. 877 00:36:44,700 --> 00:36:47,530 What advice do you give to those folks out there? 878 00:36:47,530 --> 00:36:49,780 Because obviously this was a business decision, 879 00:36:49,780 --> 00:36:51,569 and it's a hard decision to make. 880 00:36:51,569 --> 00:36:52,402 - It is. 881 00:36:52,402 --> 00:36:54,300 - So what do you say to those folks who, 882 00:36:54,300 --> 00:36:57,180 you know, may want to look for work elsewhere 883 00:36:57,180 --> 00:36:59,460 because this was a nice perk that was part 884 00:36:59,460 --> 00:37:02,040 of their civilian employment? 885 00:37:02,040 --> 00:37:06,280 - So, I hope that we don't have people that do that 886 00:37:06,280 --> 00:37:08,410 but I do understand that things play out 887 00:37:08,410 --> 00:37:10,870 in your calculus as to where you wanna work, 888 00:37:10,870 --> 00:37:13,970 and that's a decision that everyone gets to make. 889 00:37:13,970 --> 00:37:17,356 What I would encourage you to do is talk to your leadership, 890 00:37:17,356 --> 00:37:20,518 and talk to your, 891 00:37:20,518 --> 00:37:22,400 the folks that represent you. 892 00:37:22,400 --> 00:37:23,840 Talk to your leadership. 893 00:37:23,840 --> 00:37:28,334 Communicate your concerns so that they're heard. 894 00:37:28,334 --> 00:37:30,750 I had a telecom this morning discussing 895 00:37:30,750 --> 00:37:32,830 this very topic with someone. 896 00:37:32,830 --> 00:37:35,619 So what I would encourage you to do, 897 00:37:35,619 --> 00:37:39,590 if it is that, a morale hit, if you are feeling that way, 898 00:37:39,590 --> 00:37:41,420 and there are things there, I would encourage you 899 00:37:41,420 --> 00:37:44,771 to make those feelings known to your immediate supervisors 900 00:37:44,771 --> 00:37:47,440 and your leadership chain so that they can consider 901 00:37:47,440 --> 00:37:48,810 those as we go forward. 902 00:37:48,810 --> 00:37:50,730 That'd be the best advice I could give you. 903 00:37:50,730 --> 00:37:51,640 - Thanks, sir. 904 00:37:51,640 --> 00:37:53,870 So we'll circle back on another question here, too, 905 00:37:53,870 --> 00:37:55,180 on the wingman concept. 906 00:37:55,180 --> 00:37:56,610 How does this apply to contractors, 907 00:37:56,610 --> 00:37:58,800 and what support can we give to them? 908 00:37:58,800 --> 00:38:03,620 - Yeah, that is a, that's one that's a little bit different 909 00:38:03,620 --> 00:38:06,053 in how we've done a lot of the activities. 910 00:38:07,040 --> 00:38:09,960 Our contractor workforce, we are heavily dependent 911 00:38:09,960 --> 00:38:12,280 on contractors supporting our mission. 912 00:38:12,280 --> 00:38:14,730 What I encourage is look for those opportunities 913 00:38:14,730 --> 00:38:17,470 to include as best we can our contractor workforce. 914 00:38:17,470 --> 00:38:20,480 I still believe we need to talk to our contractor workforce 915 00:38:20,480 --> 00:38:22,120 and ask them how they're doing. 916 00:38:22,120 --> 00:38:26,413 If we see something there that appears out of the normal, 917 00:38:26,413 --> 00:38:29,650 there may be limitations in what we can do. 918 00:38:29,650 --> 00:38:32,180 If you are in a workplace environment where you see 919 00:38:32,180 --> 00:38:34,670 something like that, or you're worried about it, 920 00:38:34,670 --> 00:38:35,900 I would encourage you to bring it up 921 00:38:35,900 --> 00:38:40,900 to your first-level supervisor or your materiel leader, 922 00:38:41,110 --> 00:38:43,760 squadron commander, or squadron director, 923 00:38:43,760 --> 00:38:46,280 those type of folks, so that they're aware, 924 00:38:46,280 --> 00:38:47,950 and they can engage. 925 00:38:47,950 --> 00:38:49,910 We do need to look out for those folks 926 00:38:49,910 --> 00:38:52,250 because they are, we are heavily dependent 927 00:38:52,250 --> 00:38:54,080 on the great work they do for us, as well. 928 00:38:54,080 --> 00:38:56,630 - Okay, thanks sir, so shifting just a bit, 929 00:38:56,630 --> 00:39:00,060 this is a fairly long question that had come in previously, 930 00:39:00,060 --> 00:39:04,120 to talk about the relationship that AFMC has 931 00:39:04,120 --> 00:39:07,540 with the Air Force Government Employees Union. 932 00:39:07,540 --> 00:39:10,440 Obviously there's been quite a bit of activity 933 00:39:10,440 --> 00:39:12,910 over the past year with the executive orders 934 00:39:12,910 --> 00:39:15,510 that were issued back in 2018. 935 00:39:15,510 --> 00:39:17,410 Where are we with that, 936 00:39:17,410 --> 00:39:21,500 and how does the command view that union relationship? 937 00:39:21,500 --> 00:39:23,000 - So I believe our relationship 938 00:39:23,000 --> 00:39:25,483 and our partnership agreement is important. 939 00:39:27,049 --> 00:39:31,010 I started, my first interactions with the union weren't 940 00:39:31,010 --> 00:39:34,370 when I was Captain Bunch, flying the B-2, 941 00:39:34,370 --> 00:39:38,570 but more when I was Lieutenant Colonel Bunch, 942 00:39:38,570 --> 00:39:41,660 as a squadron commander in the 419th Flight Test Squadron, 943 00:39:41,660 --> 00:39:43,760 is when I started dealing with unions, 944 00:39:43,760 --> 00:39:46,250 and having that dialog, and making sure. 945 00:39:46,250 --> 00:39:48,610 I think that partnership is important. 946 00:39:48,610 --> 00:39:51,200 I think that dialogue must continue. 947 00:39:51,200 --> 00:39:53,750 I believe we have a great relationship with, 948 00:39:53,750 --> 00:39:57,760 and a great partnership agreement with our union partners, 949 00:39:57,760 --> 00:40:00,490 and I hope that that just continues. 950 00:40:00,490 --> 00:40:02,790 There are things that are going on at a level 951 00:40:02,790 --> 00:40:05,083 that are beyond us that I can't control, 952 00:40:06,835 --> 00:40:11,060 and what I want us to do is to continue to dialogue. 953 00:40:11,060 --> 00:40:14,030 I think there, I have seen things 954 00:40:14,030 --> 00:40:17,330 that have happened in the workplace 955 00:40:17,330 --> 00:40:19,080 that have caused the union to get engaged, 956 00:40:19,080 --> 00:40:20,840 and many of those have been exactly right. 957 00:40:20,840 --> 00:40:22,043 They needed to engage, and there were things 958 00:40:22,043 --> 00:40:26,210 that we were doing as leadership that we needed to change, 959 00:40:26,210 --> 00:40:27,580 and we needed to take steps. 960 00:40:27,580 --> 00:40:29,980 And the earlier we bring those up, 961 00:40:29,980 --> 00:40:31,920 and at the lower levels we bring 'em up, 962 00:40:31,920 --> 00:40:34,040 the quicker we can get 'em resolved. 963 00:40:34,040 --> 00:40:36,150 To me, I want that dialogue to take place. 964 00:40:36,150 --> 00:40:38,340 I think there's a great partnership there, 965 00:40:38,340 --> 00:40:41,160 and I just hope we continue that great working relationship. 966 00:40:41,160 --> 00:40:42,360 - Okay, thanks sir. 967 00:40:42,360 --> 00:40:44,500 So we're winding down on questions here, 968 00:40:44,500 --> 00:40:46,890 so a last chance for anyone if you'd like 969 00:40:46,890 --> 00:40:48,800 to submit some questions to us 970 00:40:48,800 --> 00:40:50,410 but if you could talk just a minute 971 00:40:50,410 --> 00:40:52,350 of where you see the command going. 972 00:40:52,350 --> 00:40:54,050 What's your vision for the future? 973 00:40:54,890 --> 00:40:55,723 - So, 974 00:40:57,690 --> 00:40:59,880 I believe, and I've already stated it, 975 00:40:59,880 --> 00:41:01,610 I've told the Secretary of the Air Force, 976 00:41:01,610 --> 00:41:02,920 the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, 977 00:41:02,920 --> 00:41:05,870 and the MAJCOM commanders that are out there, 978 00:41:05,870 --> 00:41:08,740 that if you wanna get the National Defense Strategy done, 979 00:41:08,740 --> 00:41:11,736 and you wanna drive to the Air Force We Need, 980 00:41:11,736 --> 00:41:13,880 AFMC has gotta be successful. 981 00:41:13,880 --> 00:41:16,410 We are the most important MAJCOM in doing that. 982 00:41:17,539 --> 00:41:18,372 (chuckles) 983 00:41:18,372 --> 00:41:20,870 Hopefully, everybody is following along on the logic here. 984 00:41:20,870 --> 00:41:23,923 We are the most important ones, and we've gotta succeed. 985 00:41:25,360 --> 00:41:28,580 What I'm gonna do now, I am more on the road 986 00:41:28,580 --> 00:41:30,673 for my immersions over the coming months. 987 00:41:31,536 --> 00:41:33,380 I've already, like I said, I've done one 988 00:41:33,380 --> 00:41:36,230 of the base visits where I learned a lot, 989 00:41:36,230 --> 00:41:38,290 and I'm going out, and I'm looking forward 990 00:41:38,290 --> 00:41:40,600 to learn a lot more. 991 00:41:40,600 --> 00:41:44,560 I'm gonna squint with my ears as General Goldstein says. 992 00:41:44,560 --> 00:41:49,410 I wanna listen, I wanna observe, I wanna learn 993 00:41:49,410 --> 00:41:52,070 before I set a grand strategy up, 994 00:41:52,070 --> 00:41:54,336 we're gonna do a, b, c, and d. 995 00:41:54,336 --> 00:41:57,650 If I came in and immediately started doing all those things, 996 00:41:57,650 --> 00:41:59,770 then I would say some of you should question 997 00:41:59,770 --> 00:42:01,300 why I didn't wait, and listen, 998 00:42:01,300 --> 00:42:04,010 and learn a little bit more before I did that. 999 00:42:04,010 --> 00:42:08,140 So I am learning, and I am listening, 1000 00:42:08,140 --> 00:42:10,380 and then I will pick out those areas 1001 00:42:10,380 --> 00:42:12,740 that we need to go out, and we will communicate 1002 00:42:12,740 --> 00:42:14,540 those out that we're gonna go after. 1003 00:42:15,490 --> 00:42:17,360 There are some things that are already underway 1004 00:42:17,360 --> 00:42:19,610 because they were underway before I even got here. 1005 00:42:19,610 --> 00:42:22,530 So how we're gonna implement S&T 2030, 1006 00:42:22,530 --> 00:42:25,150 that strategy is underway, and we're looking at 1007 00:42:25,150 --> 00:42:26,283 how we go do that. 1008 00:42:27,130 --> 00:42:29,200 We're looking at the test enterprise, 1009 00:42:29,200 --> 00:42:32,100 and can we be more efficient with OT and DT, 1010 00:42:32,100 --> 00:42:35,130 that was already underway before we ever got started. 1011 00:42:35,130 --> 00:42:37,610 So we're gonna keep driving those ways. 1012 00:42:37,610 --> 00:42:38,880 I'm looking forward to seeing 1013 00:42:38,880 --> 00:42:41,610 the unfiltered comments I bet back from the AFMC. 1014 00:42:41,610 --> 00:42:45,350 We need surveys, and hearing what you out there 1015 00:42:45,350 --> 00:42:48,160 in the field are telling us are the key things 1016 00:42:48,160 --> 00:42:50,630 that you wanna learn about, that I ought to be aware of 1017 00:42:50,630 --> 00:42:53,760 so that I can learn and maybe take some steps to improve, 1018 00:42:53,760 --> 00:42:56,692 how we do our business, or improve your way 1019 00:42:56,692 --> 00:42:59,490 of doing the activities in your area, 1020 00:42:59,490 --> 00:43:01,950 or the life that we're living out there in the field. 1021 00:43:01,950 --> 00:43:04,060 So that's kind of how I see us going forward. 1022 00:43:04,060 --> 00:43:06,400 - Okay, well sir, that's all the questions we have. 1023 00:43:06,400 --> 00:43:09,023 Are there any parting thoughts for the command? 1024 00:43:11,090 --> 00:43:12,690 - Thank you. 1025 00:43:12,690 --> 00:43:15,217 Thank you for what you're doing each and every day. 1026 00:43:15,217 --> 00:43:17,830 It is an honor and a privilege 1027 00:43:17,830 --> 00:43:20,310 to work for and with you. 1028 00:43:20,310 --> 00:43:22,940 Caroline and I are thrilled to be 1029 00:43:22,940 --> 00:43:25,860 the leadership team that's here now. 1030 00:43:25,860 --> 00:43:26,840 I serve you. 1031 00:43:26,840 --> 00:43:28,133 We work for you. 1032 00:43:29,060 --> 00:43:31,670 As I said earlier, I'm in the Global. 1033 00:43:31,670 --> 00:43:34,010 If you don't feel like something's being listened to, 1034 00:43:34,010 --> 00:43:37,461 find me in the Global and hit me with an email, okay? 1035 00:43:37,461 --> 00:43:38,943 It doesn't bother me at all. 1036 00:43:39,890 --> 00:43:42,370 I get a few emails but I'm happy to read yours 1037 00:43:42,370 --> 00:43:45,500 when they come in so thanks for being a part of this. 1038 00:43:45,500 --> 00:43:48,370 Give us your feedback, and thanks for what 1039 00:43:48,370 --> 00:43:50,206 you do each and every day to make us successful, 1040 00:43:50,206 --> 00:43:51,580 and everybody have a great day. 1041 00:43:51,580 --> 00:43:52,413 Thanks. 1042 00:43:52,413 --> 00:43:53,670 - Sir, thank you for your time. 1043 00:43:53,670 --> 00:43:54,800 We appreciate it. 1044 00:43:54,800 --> 00:43:57,550 Thank you to all of you for participating today. 1045 00:43:57,550 --> 00:43:59,280 If we didn't answer your questions online, 1046 00:43:59,280 --> 00:44:01,147 you can expect a direct followup from us, 1047 00:44:01,147 --> 00:44:02,840 and we appreciate you tuning in. 1048 00:44:02,840 --> 00:44:03,673 Thank you.