BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) — Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody met with the Airmen and toured Buckley Air Force Base March 4-5, to thank Airmen and their families, all while discussing the importance of the mission here.
During his visit, Cody held a junior enlisted Airmen’s call and another for senior NCOs. He also met with Airmen in their workplaces to get a firsthand look at Buckley AFB’s vast mission. Cody focused on three main topics during his tour: challenges we face today, the future of the Air Force, and the importance of our Airmen.
At the enlisted calls, Cody answered questions from the Airmen, many of which highlighted innovation and how it plays such an important role for our Airmen and future of the Air Force.
“We have to recognize that our Air Force has always been an innovative force and our Airmen have always displayed a great level of innovation,” Cody said. “So we have to continue to rely on that innovative spirit. As you look at the Air Force today, we look at how we have to be able to move forward to the future.
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody tests out the new base defense operations center in the 460th Security Forces Squadron March 5, 2015, at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. Cody toured Buckley AFB and spoke with Airmen on the future of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Luke W. Nowakowski)
It’s how we listen to our Airmen and how we acknowledge them, how we open up that dialogue; because the best solutions to the future are likely going to come from the people who do the mission every day at the tactical level.”
Cody also took the time to explain the importance of all components of the Air Force and said guardsmen, reservists and civilians all play, and will continue to play an important role.
“There are four main components: active, Guard, Reserve and civilian,” he said. “That’s our Air Force. We can’t be the Air Force we are without all four of those components. I can use history and I can say that we were never able to be successful without all four components.”
Cody said that ultimately Airmen should take the time to appreciate their families and the sacrifices they have made.
“Thank you for your service and for your sacrifice,” he said. “It’s powerful and meaningful. But I always want you to go home and thank your family members. I want you to do that because we likely don’t do it enough. And I do think they sacrifice more than you do. I just believe that in my heart.”
Lastly, the 17th chief master sergeant of the Air Force thanked Buckley AFB for their dedication and hard work that they put forth toward our 24/7-global mission.
“There’s probably a lot of people in our Air Force that don’t realize what happens here at Buckley and how important the mission here is to national defense and the security of not just this country, but our partners around the world – that can’t be understated,” he said. “This visit isn’t unlike the majority of our visits we get to do when we spend time with Airmen. I always leave more motivated and more inspired to do the best I can do because I’m looking at a bunch of great young men and women doing the best they can every day despite the challenges that are real for all of us every day. So I thank them for it, and their families.”
By Airman 1st Class Emily E. Amyotte,
460th Space Wing Public Affairs
Published March 09, 2015
