WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- First and foremost, I’d like to thank you all for the warm welcome. My wife Chantel and I felt an instant embrace from a wing that has distinguished itself across the command. Your reputation precedes itself all the way to the corridors of the Pentagon, where I recently came from. It is an honor to continue the good work and to build on the good reputation of a wing that accurately describes itself as “Leaders in Excellence.”
For those of you who were present at the change of command during the March A-UTA, you may recall that I acknowledged Westover’s achievements, but I also added an important caveat. “Westover is an award-winning team, but we’re in a business that does not allow us to rest on laurels. I will communicate goals that will help all of you be successful, and I look forward to working with all of you in continuing the Westover legacy of greatness.”
It’s important that I echo that same sentiment because I want all of us to be on the same page from the start. It is my job to communicate clear goals and expectations, and when the time comes to encourage with applauds or to enforce with judicious action, but let there be no mistake that with clear goals there will also be a clear expectation that you’ll meet these goals. I’m here to support you all with that and look forward to your feedback. That’s my job.
What I expect from the Patriot Wing is that we continue the Westover legacy of greatness. You’ve shattered records in recent years, stemming back over the last two wing commanders, and I intend to lead that same winning team by equipping its experts with the resources and support necessary for success.
But even before your recent successes, there is a deeper legacy of excellence, and one that I personally identify with. Before Westover was ever on my radar screen, a former wing commander was instrumental in recruiting me from the active duty Air Force to the reserve, and that former commander’s name was Maj. Gen. Wallace Farris, Jr. Two others— Maj. Gen. James Bankers and Maj. Gen. Martin Mazick—were also important mentors in my career that served here at Westover.
In a lot of ways, you could say my road to Westover started way back when Maj. Gen. Farris took me under his wings, and today I am evidence of how the wingman culture in the Air Force creates leaders by helping them become aware of opportunities and helping them realize their full potential. I hope that I can learn as much from you, and as well as my mentors. Westover truly helped shape them into exceptional leaders.
Yes, Westover is award-winning, and it is important to recognize all the hard work that made that happen. But after the applause ends, and the accolades roll less and less from adoring tongues, true winners do what comes to them naturally: Let’s roll up our sleeves and get back to work in continuing Westover’s legacy of greatness.