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AFRC command chief visits JB Charleston

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rashard Coaxum
  • 315 Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  Members of Joint Base Charleston, S.C., welcomed Air Force Reserve Command Command Chief Master Sgt. Cameron B. Kirksey Friday to base here.

Kirksey - who is based out of AFRC headquarters at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. - arrived at JB Charleston where he stayed the weekend and visited several units and met with wing members.

"The only way I can understand what the issues are with the wings are to visit my men and women in the wings," Kirksey said. "To get that up close and personal; feel that personal touch; I need to be in tune and in touch with the wingmen at every base."

Kirksey - a 26-year military veteran - said that he was proud of the mission being accomplished here but more importantly, proud of the people and their capabilities to do the job.

At the 315 AW, there are "ordinary people doing extraordinary things both here on the civilian side as well as the military side," he said. "The skill sets are off the charts and they are paramount," he said.

"The more breadth you have and the more experience you have of the world at large, the better you will be at capitalizing on mission sets and opportunities to take leadership roles," Kirksey said. "And this game is all about leadership."

While he was here at JB Charleston Kirksey visited the 315th Force Support Squadron and met with Chief Master Sgt. Karla Rose, the FSS superintendant, who said that his visit was a great opportunity for the wing to have positive communication with its leaders such as Kirksey.

"The Command Chief's visit with the FSS was integral because it allowed us to communicate our issues and concerns to him," Rose said. "With that information, he'll be able to take it back to our higher leadership to hear."

"At the FSS we are hands on with each and every part of the wing, which includes fit testing, lodging, education and training and so much more," Rose said. "So his interaction with the unit was important in that we got to show him our capabilities of fulfilling the 315th Airlift Wing's vision of truly being the Air Force Reserve Command's wing of choice."

Before leaving the FSS Kirksey was able to meet with a large group of new wing members during a newcomers briefing. He spoke with them about their concerns in today's Air Force and how to effectively manage and balance their lives both in and outside of the uniform.

In his closing he stressed the importance of each person's role in the Air Force Reserve while reminding them to remain resilient, even in the face of adversity.

"You are a part of the 1 percent; an exclusive club," he said. "When it gets tough, hold on and don't give up the ghost so soon, because we want you to be a part of the team."

Stay up to date with the 315th Airlift Wing at http://www.315aw.afrc.af.mil/. Follow the 315th on Facebook and Twitter.