14th Air Force leadership visits Buckley AFB

by Airman 1st Class Gabrielle Spradling
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

1/16/2016 - BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Lt. Gen. David J. Buck, Commander, 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic), Air Force Space Command; and Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space, U.S. Strategic Command, toured base facilities and met with Team Buckley Airmen Jan. 14 and 15 at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado.

During his visit, which was a stop on his tour of 14th AF wings, he also took the time to see how Airmen were doing, discussed the importance of the 460th Space Wing mission and held a commander's call.

"I've been exposed to the 460th over the last day and a half, and I've taken a couple things away," said Buck. "What I've taken away from here is it's hard to argue that Buckley is not the center of the space community, all through space and above. You lead U.S. Strategic Command's number one mission area of missile warning."

During the commander's call, Buck told stories about his AF career. He talked about the importance of people and how much you can learn from simple conversations. Chief Master Sergeant Craig A. Neri, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic), Air Force Space Command; and Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Joint Functional Component Command for Space, U.S. Strategic Command, who also visited Buckley AFB, agreed with the importance of people and stressed the value of wingmanship.

Neri held a senior NCO call where he discussed promotions, enlisted performance reports and better support for Airmen.

"We have got to get back to the business of taking care of Airmen because they are the future," said Neri.

Buckley leadership valued the time to showcase the vital missions on base and the Airmen who operate them.

"It was great to highlight our amazing team to our 14th Air Force Commander and our operational Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space, along with the 14th AF Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Craig Neri and Tech. Sgt. Tamara Acfalle, one of the Air Force's Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2015," said Col. John Wagner, 460th Space Wing commander.

As Buck and Neri's visit came to a close, they felt as though they got a true sense of what Team Buckley is about.

"I think the real take away for me as I leave Buckley is the incredible sense of community that is here," said Buck. "What a close-knit community."