McDew challenges Airmen to lead AF into next decade

by Airman 1st Class Sarah Hall-Kirchner
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

3/5/2014 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- In a time of great challenges for the Air Force and the nation, the 18th Air Force commander told Airmen their key responsibility remained the same as it has always been: to lead boldly.

"We don't bring people into our Air Force to be followers. We bring in the best and the brightest the nation has to offer and ask them to do one thing: get better at the job they do and lead," said Lt. Gen. Darren W. McDew, during his visit with members of the 375th Air Mobility Wing Feb. 28.

Along with his wife, Evelyn, the visit marked McDew's second since taking command of the 18th Air Force in August 2012. Although a resident of Scott, the visit gave the general "an opportunity to spend dedicated, quality time with 375th Airmen so he could see what great things they are doing," according to Col. Kyle Kremer, 375th AMW commander. The general, a former 375th AMW commander himself (2002-2003), said he appreciated the chance to "come back" and interact with the men and women of the "Showcase Wing."

During his visit, McDew recognized several "star performers" and officiated over a Bronze Star ceremony prior to an All Call with wing personnel. According to McDew, Airmen like Bronze Star recipient Master Sgt. Gary Bubar, 375th Security Forces Squadron, demonstrate the kind of leadership the Air Force needs. During a deployment to Afghanistan in 2013, Bubar led more than 120 combat patrols and produced intelligence reports which ultimately led to the defeat of dozens of insurgents. Bubar was also involved in the disarmament of an improvised explosive device, saving several fellow servicemembers.

"There's not a service leader anywhere in our department who doesn't love having Airmen on their team," McDew said. "It's because you think differently. You take an Airman and you put them in the middle of a convoy, and they've never done it before but they will own it. You've also read about Airmen [in our history] who flew airplanes and you might think that only pilots founded our Air Force, but you're wrong. They may have flown airplanes, they may have been founders in aviation, but that's not what made them special. What made them special are attributes that are internal. They were bold. They were courageous. They were risk-taking Airmen, just like you."

McDew said the courage exemplified by the Air Force's pioneers is still immensely important for Airmen today in light of current challenges, particularly with the shrinking of the force as budgets decline.

"I know it's personal for each and every Airman who is facing these challenges today. But, we've been here before and our senior leaders have the experience to get us through it once again," said McDew. "At the end of the day, we'll still be the most powerful Air Force in the world because we will still develop, recruit and retain the best Airmen. I am ultimately convinced that at the end of the day we will be stronger tomorrow then we are today."

McDew also said it was important for Airmen to stop doing things that don't add value to the mission. Sometimes programs are perpetuated because no one's been able to kill them, but that needs to stop, he said.

"Start demanding that we hear you. Your opinion counts. You are the answer, so if it's got to stop, it can stop."

McDew ended his All Call by thanking Airmen and calling on them to lead the Air Force successfully into the future.

"Have courage. Lead boldly. Step out there and do the things you know and have been trained to do. You don't need the 100 percent solution ... we can be paralyzed or forced into inactivity striving to find the perfect answer. Sometimes 75 percent and your gut instinct are all you need. Decide and move on," he said.