COVER STORY
CMSAF Wright speaks with airmen from the 75th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron during a visit to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 11, 2017. Wright visited CJTF-HOA and other tenant commands to gain a better understanding of Air Force integration and missions in the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)
and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies regarding the Air Force’s quality of life on March 8, “Te ultimate source of air, space and cyberspace combat capability resides in the men and women of the U.S. Air Force. We must put them first as they face the challenges inherent in serving in the profession of arms.” Wright said to meet global demands, resource emerg-
ing requirements, and repair and sustain the force, the Air Force must increase its active-duty personnel from 254,000 to 321,000 by the end of 2017. “We’re the smallest Air Force that we’ve ever been, and
there are many challenges that come with the high-ops tempo and the multiple deployments to the many places we help defend around the globe,” Wright said. “Tat’s why the increase we’re trying to get to is critical.” Part of ensuring Airmen are “ready for life” means pro- tecting their entitlements and benefits so that pay, leave, housing allowances and retirement compensation don’t add to families’ life stressors. As he testified to the subcommittee, pay and compensation uncertainties are cause for concern, as the current fiscal year’s National Defense Authorization Act seeks changes to financial benefits—specifically, the basic allowance for housing.
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www.hqafsa.org “Tis would reverse nearly 20 years of deliberate legis-
lative action to ensure service members are appropriately compensated for their service, and that their salaries remain competitive with private-sector professionals,” Wright testi- fied. “While we remain mindful of current budget pressures across the Defense Department, cost savings needs to be tempered by the need to retain our talent, which is truly a national asset.”
THE RIGHT TRAINING
Another of his key focus areas is training—ensuring Airmen are ready to fight. He said the goal is to ensure every Airman is properly trained and ready to perform their core mission at all times. “Tis doesn’t mean more training,” Wright said. “Tis
means the right training—eliminating redundant, ineffective or superfluous training.” He said a focus on training means ensuring Airmen are focused and operationally relevant
provided with timely,
training solutions at all levels. “Te key to winning for every Air Force teams begins
with focused and deliberate practice, dress rehearsals, repeti- tion and realistic combat scenarios designed to stretch them
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