18th Air Force commander urges Airmen to 'be bold'

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Laura L. Valentine
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Team McConnell hosted Lt. Gen. Darren McDew, 18th Air Force commander, and his wife, Evelyn, here Dec. 11 to 13.

McDew's first visit to the base as 18th Air Force commander allowed him the opportunity to meet with McConnell's leaders and Airmen and to observe the base's missions firsthand.

During an all call, McDew expressed his appreciation for McConnell Airmen by presenting the 22 ARW with the Meritorious Unit Award for the period of Aug. 1, 2011 to July 31, 2012.

"You have given this organization - this wing, your group, your squadron something that will keep on giving," said McDew. "The organization will be better years from now than it is today because of your contributions. I can't thank you enough for that."

McDew also awarded the Purple Heart Medal to Master Sgt. Cesar Flores, Superintendent, 22nd ARW Inspector General's Office. Flores was awarded the medal for injuries sustained in Iraq on June 15, 2007, while supporting OPERATION Iraqi Freedom.

"He's an example of the courage that we have found throughout our Air Force," said McDew. "This is the greatest Air Force in the history of the world because you are the best Airmen in the history of our Air Force."

After presenting the awards, McDew offered thanks to for the service of all McConnell Airmen, urging them to continue in the courageous traditions of Air Force pioneers.

"What we have learned from the last 11 years of war is that our success as an Air Force is not due to any one Air Force Specialty Codes. It takes bold, innovative, risk-taking Airmen," he said. "It's about heart, intellect, and work ethic."

During their visit, the McDews visited organizations across the base, speaking with Airmen and families about the mission, their concerns, and quality of life issues. Along the way, the general expressed satisfaction in what he saw.

"McConnell has an extra 'drive.' Your wing commander's priorities have started to take hold and it's obvious that you are developing the next generation of leaders -- it is part of the culture that is taking root here and you can see it and feel it," said McDew.

McDew noted that as a senior leader, he is charged to be a voice for Airmen, to ensure that decisions made at the highest levels of the Air Force are informed by the concerns and issues of those executing the mission.

The general also urged Airmen not to forget the importance of what they do and to constantly look for ways to make a difference through their service.

"There are things that we do just because we've always done them," said McDew. "As our Air Force evolves and grows, we sometimes hang on to old processes and procedures that are no longer relevant today, or at least not as relevant."

During the question and answer portion of the all call, Staff Sgt. Melissa Hof, 22nd Mission Support Group knowledge operations manager, asked McDew how leaders could avoid falling into the habit of 'embracing stupid'.

"The best ideas, the best ways forward, are going to come from today's Airmen," said McDew. "You're the ones that have been hardened by war, forged by constant deployments, and I want to make sure that our Air Force has learned from your experiences."

McDew concluded his all call by praising all of the members of Team McConnell.

"This organization is a special one," said McDew. "Don't become numb to what you do just because everyone around you is doing it. It's one thing to tell yourself you're good, the other is when you have the hardware to prove it."