McConnell welcomes new 22nd ARW vice commander

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  • By Public Affairs staff
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Col. John Zazworsky, former 89th Operations Group commander, Andrews Air Force Base, Md., arrived at McConnell May 30, for his new assignment as the vice commander of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing here.

Colonel Zazworsky has served in the Air Force for 24 years. Colonel Zazworsky has served as Operations Officer of an Operations Support Squadron, Chief of Wing Safety, Chief of Wing Staff, and Commander of a C-17A Airlift Squadron.

As he begins his tenure as vice commander at McConnell, Colonel Zazworsky shared some leadership advice with Team McConnell.

What do you hope to accomplish as vice commander of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing? Team McConnell has given me a warm welcome, and I am proud to join this team. Colonel Halpin and his leadership team have led the 22nd ARW through a year of impressive mission accomplishment and inspection success. As acting wing commander for the next few months, I intend to follow Colonel Halpin's wing leadership vision by building on past success in order to prepare for future for future mission challenges.

What is the best leadership advice you have to offer?
Mission accomplishment is critical, but growing our people often has the greatest long- term payoff for the Air Force. We measure leadership and unit success by how well they accomplish the unit's mission. Mission accomplishment is essential, of course, but if we overlook the development of our young Airmen and officers, we risk mortgaging our future missions for short-term success. Use each mission challenge as a way to season out future leaders. By developing and mentoring them in the present, we develop stronger, better prepared leaders for the future - no matter where their Air Force careers may take them.

What is the best leadership advice you have ever received?
Leadership equates to sacrifice. Strong leaders are always willing to commit themselves to the mission with at least as much effort as they ask from their subordinates.