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CMSAF visits 315 AW

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Bobby Pilch
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  Reserve airmen from the 315th Airlift Wing were joined for lunch by retired Chief Master Sergeant Robert D. Gaylor, the fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force from 1977 to 1979, at the Gaylor Dining Facility Saturday Sept. 22, 2012.

Gaylor beamed with a smile as he told the airmen it is an honor and privilege to be sitting with them in the facility which carries his name.

The luncheon was an opportunity for fellow airmen to learn about the past and engage the former Chief in a one-on-one question and answer session about issues and concerns they have regarding today's Air Force.

Discussion topics ranged from the Air Force's role during World War II through current operations, women and minorities being allowed to serve and how the Air Force Reserve play a role in today's mission.

"The force is now seamless," said Gaylor. "All I see today are professionals doing a great job."

Leadership is something consistently echoed within the military and Gaylor provided his thoughts on leadership today.

"Training should be ongoing and leadership need to keep up with the times, the here and now," said Gaylor. "Focus on your mission, your purpose and your goals...focus, focus!"

Gaylor provided the airmen with a closing thought before leaving them to go back to their duties.

"When there is a lot of uncertainty in life, you need to be ready. For what, I have no idea. But, I would rather be ready and have it not happen, then not be ready and have it happen."

Chief Master Sergeant Gigi Manning, command chief of the 315 AW, hopes the airmen were able to take away a few key lessons from Gaylor's discussion.

"We must always be ready for change and that uncertainty is the norm today," said Manning. "Always be ready for an opportunity, because it will come when you least expect it."