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AFMC commander sets tone for Wingman Stand Down 2010

  • Published
  • By Kim Dawley
  • Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs
Gen. Donald Hoffman, Air Force Materiel Command commander, set the tone for the command's observance of the Air Force-directed Wingman Stand Down by holding a Commander's Call here on May 7.

The Commander's Call -- for all military and civilian headquarters AFMC personnel -- was held outside in Barnes Park, adjacent to the headquarters building. Approximately 1,500 people were in attendance.

The general's focus was on the AFMC mission, but he kept safety and the wingman concept at the forefront by emphasizing them as crucial to that mission.

"In terms of how I organize my leadership priorities, the first one is to safely and professionally execute the mission," General Hoffman said.

While AFMC's mission includes research, acquisition, testing and sustainment, the general noted that it's not good enough to just do the mission. It must be done safely so it can be done again tomorrow.

"Safety has to be embedded in what we do -- in peacetime, in wartime, all the time," he said.

General Hoffman said his second priority is to "protect, conserve and consume resources as if they were your own," noting that part of personal and professional well-being comes from living responsibly and within established means.

"After all, the budgets aren't getting any bigger," he said.

The last priority General Hoffman shared was to "positively motivate yourself and others to continued service in the Air Force."

According to the general, that includes being safe, looking forward to going to work and creating a climate that makes others look forward to going to work as well.

"Work is always work," he said, "but the attitude you have is the variable, and it's free. Thinking positively doesn't cost anything."

General Hoffman ended his Commander's Call with a reminder to apply safety to all we do and take care of one another, saying that being a good wingman is everyone's responsibility.

Participation in a half-day Wingman Stand Down 2010 is mandatory for all Air Force units in May.

In a jointly signed letter, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy noted the reasons for the stand down.

"Sadly, 18 Airmen, eight guardsmen and reservists, and three civilians, of all ranks and specialties, have taken their own lives so far this year," the senior leaders noted. "Additionally, approximately 50 Air Force members annually are killed in motor vehicle accidents."

The stand down is an opportunity for Airmen to discuss suicide prevention, learn about motor vehicle safety and improve wingman skills.