CSAF visits, motivates Buckley Airmen

460th Space Wing Public Affairs

5/28/2014 - BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and his spouse, Betty, spent the day meeting with base leaders and Airmen during a visit May 27 at Buckley.

Welsh and his party arrived by helicopter from the U.S. Air Force Academy as part of a tour of Air Force Space Command bases.

Welsh's visit included stops to the 460th Space Wing headquarters, 460th Security Forces Squadron, the 460th Operations Group and the Aerospace Data Facility - Colorado.

He first met with wing leaders at the headquarters building where he gleaned insights from their operational space perspectives.

Col. Dan Wright, 460th SW commander, was impressed by Welsh's communication and leadership.

"I could see his leadership style, I could see his true caring," said the wing commander. "He was open. I thought that was an important aspect, letting us commanders know we need to have the same outlook."

After listening to 460th SW leaders, Welsh met individual Airmen during his various stops throughout the base, some of whom he awarded his CSAF coin.

Senior Airman Jose Sanchez, 460th SW paralegal and one of the Airmen coined by Welsh, felt his sincerity left a lasting impression.

"I could tell he really cared about the things he said," Sanchez said. "It means a lot when a leader comes out and says how he feels."

Base leadership gathered for lunch with Welsh at the base community center where they further discussed hot-button topics such as the recent force shaping measures.

At an all-call, Welsh encouraged Airmen to pursue ideas for improvement and stressed how important each Airman is to the Air Force mission.

"Don't ever forget how important you are," said the chief of staff. "Remember how important your people are and how worthy they are of your respect."