Former NATO Allied Air Command Headquarters commander visits Fairchild

by Airman 1st Class Janelle Patiño
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

12/5/2013 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Retired Lt. Gen. Ralph J. Jodice II, former commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Allied Air Command Headquarters at Izmir, Turkey, visited Fairchild Dec. 1-3 to recognize Team Fairchild for their role in the Libyan air operation in 2011.

Jodice spoke with Col. Brian Newberry, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, Airman Leadership School students, squadron commanders and Airmen who came to his Operation Unified Protector Briefing. He informed them how important they are to the mission and shared his knowledge on how to be a good leader.

"There are different traits a good leader could have and they are, to name some, having integrity, being a good servant leader, being credible and knowing how to connect with Airmen by making them understand how important every single one of them are to the mission," said Jodice.

Jodice also discussed challenges and how they helped today's Air Force become more innovative. In addition, he commended the new generation of Airmen in the military.

"We have motivated, smart people in this generation that want to join our Air Force and we need to take advantage of that," said Jodice. "With high fiscal constraints, people need to not get caught up with the problem and focus on the mission. Fiscal constraints don't stop us from doing what we do best."

Jodice mentioned some keys to conducting successful warfare across the globe, one of which is collaboration.

"I think of doing it as an alliance or as a coalition. We've seen that no nation can do it on its own anymore so we have to work together with our allies, partners and friends to do the mission," he said. "In doing that, we have to collaborate and recognize how to use the capabilities that the nations bring to that operation to the best of their ability."

When it comes to today's generation of Airmen, Jodice believes that Airmen are smarter, better equipped, more prepared and better trained to use whatever they can to make things work with the limited assets that are available due to the resource constraints.

"Airmen, in my opinion, are more prepared to execute today's Air Force mission because they understand things way better than my generation did," said Jodice. "It's because of the interaction that takes place across the globe."

Jodice also wanted to thank Col. Newberry and the entire wing for welcoming him to Fairchild. He expressed his gratitude for the Airmen who are in serving the country.

"Keep doing your mission; global reach through the use of air refueling is not going to go away and the mission here at Fairchild has been providing that capability and it's vitally important," said Jodice. "Wherever you are and whatever you do in this wing to support the mission matters."