AFRC senior leaders talk readiness & resilience with Team March

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Russell S. McMillan
  • 452 AMW Public Affairs
March Air Reserve Base, Calif. --  

Team March played host to U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee, commander of Air Force Reserve Command, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Timothy White, AFRC command chief, during a unit visit with the 452nd Air Mobility Wing here April 5-7.

Scobee and White started their three-day visit with a brief tour of the 452nd AMW headquarters building facilitated by Col. Melissa Coburn, commander, 452nd AMW, March Air Reserve Base, and outgoing 452nd AMW command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Cynthia Villa.

“We are honored to be here at March [ARB] and look forward to seeing how we can help support you at the command,” said White.

Scobee and White reiterated three priorities when visiting each of the 452nd AMW groups: a laser focus on readiness, building resilient leadership in all Airmen and improving the organization. Both also asked about the strengths and opportunities from each group to better understand the value the wing contributes to national defense and how they could provide support from the command level.

“The only reason the command exists is to make the wing successful,” said Scobee. “It should not meddle, but provide oversight and support for success.”

AFRC leadership learned about the tens of thousands of U.S. Marines and Soldiers that process annually through March ARB’s Joint Deployment Center, the 163rd Attack Wing’s MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft, the Air and Marine Operations Center’s important role in federal law enforcement and about the challenges maintaining facilities and infrastructure for a base more than a century old.  

Scobee and White also learned about the 452nd AMW’s two primary weapon systems: the C-17 Globemaster III and KC-135 Stratotanker. During a brief tour aboard a C-17 Globemaster III static aircraft both viewed patient litters and equipment, listening about how Team March’s Reserve Citizen Airmen contributed to the aeromedical evacuation mission.

At the conclusion of the briefing Scobee asked the Airmen to huddle near and thanked them for taking care of their fellow Total Force Airmen. He shared a personal story from a past deployment. Scobee explained when an injured service member found out that care was being provided from a U.S. Air Force AE team, a sigh of relief and gratitude was typically the response. At the time, Scobee explained, zero service members lost their lives from combat injuries if they received care from an AE team.

Stories about past deployments, commands and other defining moments were highlighted by Scobee and White as they attended meals and leadership meetings with Reserve Citizen Airmen. Both thanked Airmen in attendance but also challenged them to take care of each other and themselves.

“You’re here to make things better for those around you,” said White.

Scobee described four areas to enable a positive environment: harmony of one’s family, civilian employer, military, and self-wellness. Using the metaphor of a four-legged stool, any leg that falls out of harmony would lead to the stool falling and creating an environment of discord.

“You help create an environment where people can continue to serve,” said Scobee, referring to how an environment of harmony also fosters retention.

Scobee and White concluded their visit by expressing their gratitude for Team March’s positive impact but also reiterating that AFRC was here to support the men and women of March ARB.

“The only reason why we are here is to take care of you, our Airmen,” said Scobee. “You are the future leaders of the Air Force.”