CMSAF Cody visits 911th Airlift Wing

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jonathan Hehnly
  • 911th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PITTSBURGH IAP ARS --  Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody and his wife Athena visited the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station to meet the men and women of the 911th Airlift Wing and tour the reserve facilities, February 8, 2014. 

The Air Force's senior enlisted leader made it clear that he and his wife had conducted the trip to Pittsburgh to show their appreciation for the men and women of the 911th AW and to engage in face-to-face communication with the individuals he represents.

"Athena and I are really here to thank you for what you do every day," said Cody. "You serve our Air Force in a phenomenal way. You make a difference around the world every day. The things this unit has been involved in make our Air Force what it is. It's important that we come down and spend some time with you, shake your hands when we can and let you know that we really do appreciate you and value everything you do in our Air Force."
    
Cody spent most of his day in Pittsburgh going from shop to shop to greet Airmen and interact with them as they performed their duties. He particularly wanted to get to know the members on a more personal level, asking about their roles outside of the reserve and what's going on in their lives as Airmen of the 911th AW.
    
"We really want to get out and visit our Airmen," said Cody. "And we want to make sure we spend time with our reserve component Airmen when they are doing their drill weekends, when there is a maximum capacity of Airmen on duty. This way they can have exposure to us and we can have that time to interact with them and hear what's on their minds."
    
Cody held an Airman' s Call for approximately 1,400 Airmen during the 911th AW's February unit training assembly. Cody spoke for about ten minutes before he opened the floor for Airmen to ask questions and express any concerns. Questions ranged from concerns about computer-based training to Community College of the Air Force requirements and educational benefits. A majority of the questions, however, were about the uncertainty driven by the budget issues within the country and its effect on the future of the Air Force.
    
Cody stated that in a time of limited resources, decisions and adjustments must be made to continue to allow the Air Force to do what the nation needs it to do. He added that the Air Force is going to find better synergies amongst its components and strike a balance to ensure everyone is getting the right training, education and experience to maintain the capability, credibility and capacity the Air Force needs. 
    
"It is still going to be in the future a great place to serve," Cody said. "We are going to be the world's greatest Air Force. We are going to take care of our people. It's just absolutely not going to be anything less than that. Will it be different than what it has been in the past? Yes, but it has to be. It has always changed over time and that's ok."
    
Before he departed, Cody had one final message for the Airmen of the 911th Airlift Wing. 
    
"There is no question that this installation has a lot to offer our Air Force, and is doing a lot for our Air Force every day," he said. "It was a great opportunity to see that, but most of all, on behalf of our United States Air Force leadership, to thank the men and women for what they do and make sure they understand how much we value them and their families that support them."