Command Chief's Comments

This month it is my pleasure to use the commander’s corner to address the enlisted men and women of AIA.

So much has occurred in the last few months – these are truly exciting times to be in AIA. Everywhere you look, AIA people are at the core of everything going on, whether in the Pacific, Europe, Middle East or the Americas. Our products and services continue to be in high demand.

The recent participation of our people in Kosovo operations are a perfect example and only adds to the achievements our folks have been making in the desert for the past several years. Both should be a source of great pride for everyone in the agency.

These operations are an example to the entire Air Force on how our diverse spectrum of enlisted professionals can come together to provide critical information supporting air attacks, search and rescue efforts, hostile aircraft kills, threat alerts for friendly forces and political/diplomatic efforts just to name a few.

There has been a demanding side to these achievements to be sure: our ops tempo has never been greater and our enlisted men and women are spending more time away from their families than ever before.

However, I can assure you that your efforts, time away from families and/or long hours at work, are appreciated at the highest levels. We can be proud of the work we’ve done and the lasting impact of that effort.

Despite the high ops tempo, or perhaps because of it, our leaders have devoted much time and effort to quality of life initiatives for all of us. New dormitories, improved dining facilities, better equipment and enhanced promotion opportunities are examples of the direction we’re taking to improve conditions at home and at deployed sites. Professional development efforts and recognition programs are also being enhanced to make sure we take care of our troops.

AIA’s own SENSOR OLYMPICS program has been expanded and now every AFSC with 75 or more personnel assigned in the agency will participate. We’ve hit some rough spots with this program, but we’re working hard to make the program more fair and more representative, and you can be rest assured that we have senior leadership support to keep this program alive and well.

All of us have watched with interest as news of a potential AIA merger has spread. I cannot tell you what the final outcome of these discussions will be and at this point, no one can. But I can tell you that whatever the outcome, our troops will continue to have the same critical missions and duties they have now, and even greater opportunities as well. I believe the merger discussions are a result of the increased importance AIA is now playing in support of the Air Force mission. The hard work of our agency is reflected by the value warfighters place on that work.

Everywhere I travel, I constantly hear about the absolutely indispensable work AIA is doing and how professional the men and women of the agency are. This is a standard that will not change regardless of any structural realignment that comes to pass. AIA will remain in the forefront of our nation’s defense and you will lead that effort.

I can also report to you that Maj. Gen. (John) Baker is working hard to expand AIA’s already remarkable array of products and services, and you will see these opportunities, as they become a reality. From expanded AFSC’s and enhanced information operations skills, to the effort to modernize the fundamental way in which we conduct our business – by “bringing the electrons to the analysts” rather than the traditional other way around. This will eventually provide, for all our specialties, more opportunities for assignments with our families. This will take time to implement, but Gen. Baker is definitely moving us in this direction.

With this new perspective, each of us must change the way we look at the mission. For years, proximity to the battle was the measure of importance and much of the work done at home was not given the credit it deserved. The advent of technological advances has changed that view entirely and we are seeing critical battlefield decisions being framed from CONUS-based AIA products and services.

There is not an AIA site in the world that is not a key component of this effort and I have been proud to watch the response of our enlisted men and women in taking on these challenges. From Security Hill in San Antonio to the CONUS units, the groups in the theaters, and the detachments across the globe, AIA has never been more vital and important to the national defense strategy.

It is an honor and my pleasure to serve as “YOUR” command chief master sergeant – keep up the good work!

CMSgt David Hill
AIA Command Chief Master Sergeant