20th AF provides the toolset for success

by Airman Malcolm Mayfield
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

9/10/2014 - F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo.  -- Twentieth Air Force hosted a flight commander leadership course from Aug. 12 to 15, 2014, at 20th AF Headquarters on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., for company grade officers from 20th AF's three constituent ICBM wings.

The flight commander leadership course provided professional development opportunities at the squadron level to the 12 company grade officers that participated in the first 20 AF-wide course.

Leadership had concerns over the lack of mentorship low-level leaders received over the past several decades, which is why the course was developed, said Capt. Amanda Filiowich, 320th Missile Squadron assistant operations officer and course instructor.

"You don't learn how to lead going to one class and reading a single book," said Capt. Marcanthony Ortiz, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron and course instructor.

The course provided the building blocks for CGOs to drive discussion for their workplace and provide the knowledge of what to look for when looking at a problem, Ortiz said.

"This course was designed to try and influence our CGOs at a very early stage within their career development," Filiowich said.

Instructors tried to reach out to the lowest level of leadership and empower them by improving their skills as leaders, Filiowich said.

"This is really to give the flight commanders the toolset to use when leading troops," said Capt. Joseph Shannon, III, 320th Missile Squadron and course participant.

Shannon said he believes the course improved more than just their leadership skills -- it gave them a chance to network.

"I think the best piece from this course is that we developed relationships across the entire wing," Shannon said.

Enlisted leadership played a role in the course as well.

"Senior NCOs are instructing this course to help officers understand what our role is," said Master Sgt. Adam Varga, 90th Logistic Readiness Squadron and course instructor.

Also officers' responsibility is to help develop and guide Senior NCOs and use their abilities appropriately, he said.

"Leadership is dynamic, it is compounded with all sorts of different things you need to think about," Filiowich said. "You're never going to be adequately prepared for every scenario that you could encounter as a leader."

The 20th AF Leadership Course helps CGOs understand what resources they have available so they are able to solve issues and get the answers they need for their Airmen, she said.