Recently, the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General CQ Brown, Jr., made a trip across the priority theatre of the Department of Defense. During this trip, he recognised the contributions made by Airmen and their families who are stationed in the Indo-Pacific region and reaffirmed the United States and U.S. Air Force’s commitment to keeping the region free and open.
Brown was able to have face-to-face discussions with Airmen at six different wings about his strategic approach, Accelerate Change or Lose, and empower Airmen at all different levels.
Brown said this during an all-call with the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, which is located in Japan. “Good enough today will fail tomorrow,” “As Airmen, we need to integrate and speed up the changes that are essential in order to continue to grow our skills and keep our competitive edge.” Get used to being uncomfortable; we cannot rest on our laurels; we must alter and grow to meet the challenges we face today. Get used to being uncomfortable.
Brown was the host of an all-call at each location, and he also participated in small-group dinners with the Airmen. He got a first-hand look at the arduous effort that Airmen put in to keep the operation running well by touring the base facilities and taking part in the meetings and briefings that were held at each station.
Brown spoke these words during an all-call with the 15th Wing that was held at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. “Because of this, our mission statement is one of my favourites: fly, battle, and win. Power in the air, at any time and in any place. It is not at some point in some location; rather, our country may call at any time and from any location. We are able to achieve it because of each and every one of you.”
Brown made trips to Singapore, the Philippines, and South Korea when he was in the Indo-Pacific region in order to meet with his counterparts and other top military officials, in addition to U.S. ambassadors and embassy employees.
During his time in the Philippines, he conferred with the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Lieutenant General Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, as well as the Commander of the Philippine Air Force, Lieutenant General Connor Anthony D. Canlas, Sr., and the United States Ambassador MaryKay Loss Carlson.
He stated, “The U.S.-Philippine alliance is strong; we support a resilient and independent Philippines with the capability to protect its sovereignty and defend its security interests on its own terms.”
In addition to touring two U.S. air bases during his time in South Korea, Brown had a meeting with the general of the South Korean Air Force, Jung Sang-Hwa, during which they discussed how the United States and South Korea can further strengthen their alliance through continued close collaboration and a commitment to improving readiness.
In addition, Brown made stops to the 345th Wing at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, the 36th Wing at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base, and the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base in South Korea. His tour was a part of a series of visits by officials from the Department of the Air Force to areas in the United States Indo-Pacific Command. The purpose of these trips was to concentrate on Airmen, allies, and partners.