Gen. Carlisle visits JBER

by Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer
JBER Public Affairs

6/20/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Air Force Gen. Hawk Carlisle, Pacific Air Forces commander, visited Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 18, 2014.

During Carlisle's time at JBER, he spoke to Airmen about challenges the Air Force is facing and how the military is finding ways to overcome them.

"This is going to be a tough time," said Carlisle. "We have all seen the things that have been going on, we have lived through sequestration 2013 and force management challenges that we are facing, but this is going to be a challenging time."

Carlisle focused on many issues, but one was prominent-- force management.

"The answer of how we are going to get through this challenging time is you," Carlisle said. "I truly wish we did not have to do force management; I wish we didn't have to do involuntary separation action; I wish we didn't have to do reduction-in-force ... I wish we didn't have to do any of it. Unfortunately, we had no choice, and there was nowhere else to go."

Carlisle encouraged supervisors to watch out for Airmen and give them options. "Everyone needs to know what their options are, and you need to know where you are at and where you are headed," Carlisle said. "I will say this a million times; if you served in our Air Force honorably, we owe you a debt of gratitude."

Not only did Carlisle emphasize the importance of Airmen's roles in the Air Force, he also addressed the importance of being a good wingman and not being a bystander who does nothing.

He ended the commander's call with gratitude to the Airmen and Soldiers and appreciation for how they fulfill the mission for the Pacific Air Forces and the Air Force as a whole.

"Thank you again for what you are doing, you are simply a fantastic organization and I can't thank you enough for being such great total force Airmen and civilian Airmen across the board, " Carlisle said.