HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Base officials hosted a three-day Flight Commander Leadership Course here for new flight-level leaders as part of an Air Force-wide squadron revitalization initiative.
The course, held April 29 through May 1 at the base conference center, focused on leadership development at the unit level.
“Twenty-two military and civilian leaders from Hanscom and geographically separated units attended this first-of-its-kind Flight Commander Leadership Course on base,” said Dr. Rich Carson, Hanscom education services specialist, who organized the class.
According to the course handbook, “The Flight Commander Leadership Course combines the best parts of existing wing-level flight commander courses with informal, easy-to-present leadership instruction … to provide a tailored, flight commander development experience designed to improve overall performance.”
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein tasked all wing commanders to “establish flight commander/leader courses focused on key skills needed to succeed in this first essential level of leadership.”
“General Goldfein wanted a course that would provide an orientation to critical leadership skills and behaviors that every flight-level leader or civilian equivalent will need to succeed,” Carson said.
Among the attendees was the 66th Force Support Squadron’s Community Support Flight chief.
“The course was a good opportunity to pull away from the day-to-day operations to take a deep dive into Air Force leadership,” said Paul Hartigan. “What made the training more special was the diversity of the group.”
Senior noncommissioned officers, commissioned officers and federal civilians from the 314th Recruiting Squadron in New Jersey, 66th Air Base Group, Contracting Directorate and Joint Personal Property Shipping Office at Hanscom attended the course.
Hanscom senior leaders provided students with “leadership lessons” and “locally-relevant techniques and practical knowledge.”
“The goal is to develop our up-and-coming leaders with a focus on the Hanscom mission,” said Lt. Col. Kenneth Ferland, 66th Air Base Group deputy commander, who instructed “Preparing for Command.”
Other course offerings included “The Role of the Flight Commander,” “Followership,” “Ethical Leadership” and “Developing Others.”
The Digital and Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence and Networks Directorates provided organization and mission briefings.
“Since most of the attendees were from the 66th Air Base Group and other non-acquisition units, my objective was to give them some familiarity with what their Hanscom teammates do who work for the program executive officer for Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence and Networks,” said Scott Owens, deputy director of C3I and Networks.
Carson said attendees’ diverse backgrounds contributed to group discussions.
“Discussions are a good tool in leadership training or with people who have varied experiences,” he said. “It enables all participants to hear different opinions and perspectives.”
For further information, or to learn about future offerings, contact Carson at 781-225-5944.