ACC command chief visits Creech

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 432d Wing Public Affairs
CREECH AFB, Nev. --  The Air Combat Command command chief visited Creech AFB and the 432d Wing Oct. 9.

Although he was impressed with the progress the wing and the base has made in operational effectiveness and quality of life, Chief Master Sgt. Steve Sullens said ACC leadership is wholly committed to ensure Airmen here remain a top priority.

"My impression of Creech is framed from previous visits during the mid-1990s and late 2007 when I was about 45 days into the job as ACC command chief," Chief Sullens said. "It's clear during my visit today that you all have done some magnificent work in advancing UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) capability and capacity, but there is still a long journey ahead of us."

Chief Sullens said he attributes the advancement of Creech to great leadership, "Airmanship," and followership. At the same time, he said senior leadership realizes there is considerable strain on Airmen and families.

"We're going to continue to push taking care of people, which is my supervisor's, (Air Combat Command commander) number one priority of 'people first'," Chief Sullens said.

Chief Sullens discussed some concerns he and other senior leaders share in regards to some Creech Airmen experiencing limited ability to take leave and being deferred from Profession Military Education due to high operations tempo of the UAS mission.

"All that falls in the lines of taking care of people and protecting growth and developmental opportunities," Chief Sullens said. "I think we have a tempo here that makes it difficult for the average master sergeant, in comparison to his peers elsewhere, to complete a CCAF (Community College of the Air Force) degree without sacrificing vital family time. We (senior leadership) will continue to identify and push developmental innovations to ensure each and every Creech Airmen is supported with meaningful educational opportunities and general quality of life."

In regards to the current freeze being placed on certain Air Force Specialties at Creech AFB, Chief Sullens said although he doesn't foresee a future short-term solution, there will be a long-term solution as ACC leadership is already engaged with Headquarters Air Force. Those discussions are focused on identifying requirements, then growing and sustaining a family of skills and AFSCs specifically tailored to UAS operations.

The chief said what continues to impress him is that although he knows manning and resources are stretched thin at Creech, Airmen stay committed and focused on the growing mission.
Leadership by example is everywhere, from the wing commander and command chief pulling line duty, to a dedicated medical team providing in house services that save numerous Airmen inefficient trips to Nellis. The Creech team gets it done, efficiently and safely, further explained Chief Sullens.

"The battlefield affect that the 432d team projects forward compared to my visit 10 months ago is nothing short of extraordinary. As we advance our UAS capacity over the next 10 months, and the 10 months after that, it'll stand as further testament to why we're the world's most respected Air Force--our people."