Air Directorate Field Advisory Council meets to discuss current issues

by Master Sgt. Marvin R. Preston
Air National Guard Readiness Center Public Affairs

7/31/2014 - JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md.  -- Air National Guard leaders met at the Air National Guard Readiness Center here July 29-30 to openly discuss policies, current issues and priorities impacting the ANG during the Air Directorate Field Advisory Council meeting.

Air Force Col. Mark D. Auer, the ADFAC chairman, led the council's discussion of topics that included emerging threats to the homeland, ancillary training domestic operations.

The council was joined by Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, the director of the ANG and Chief Master Sgt. James W. Hotaling, the command chief of the ANG.

"The ability to listen and share ideas with the DANG is essential for the ADFAC to execute its core function as an advisory council," said Auer. "The council members have the chance to learn what the DANG sees as his priorities and gain perspective from his comments. We, in turn, look for opportunities to focus our energy along those same lines of effort while highlighting field issues being encountered in executing the mission."

During the meeting, the council addressed many challenging topics facing the Department of Defense, Air Force and ANG. The ADFAC meeting brings together a wide range of experienced leaders with a variety of skill sets from ANG units across the 50 states, territories and District of Columbia. These combined experiences provide diversity and a variety of viewpoints aimed at providing best possible solutions for the ANG.

The council also discussed the implementation of the new Airman Comprehensive Assessment feedback form.

"The visit from Chief Hotaling was quite helpful," said Auer. "We have been hearing about the new [ACA] for some time yet having the chance to talk directly with the Command Chief about his goals and implementation plan was great. The visit was another opportunity to ensure that the field and command are in sync on a program that will be so important to all our Airmen."

The ADFAC pulls together more than 20 Weapon System Councils together. This varied group of experienced leaders, which meets biannually, is a field organization that provides another channel of communication to help elevate issues and ideas to Air Force and ANG senior leadership.