CSAF visits Kunsan

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Trevor Tiernan
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Questions on deployments and manning were at the top of the list for Airmen who welcomed the Air Force Chief of Staff here over the weekend.

Gen. Norton Schwartz and his wife Suzie arrived May 10 to kick off a tour of the Korean peninsula. At an Airmen's Call in the base theater, General Schwartz took the floor and fielded questions from Kunsan personnel.

On deployment durations, General Schwartz said Airmen can expect 120-day to 179-day deployments to be the norm; and that the service is looking at the taskings to ensure that the right deployment length matches the right job.

"There are requirements for continuity in the current fight which exceed 120 days," he said. "There are some jobs that can be done on a 120-day cycle; if it works and it supports the joint team in a way that's needed right now, I'm all for that. But you have to ask yourself, what is needed in each particular situation. If it's 179 days, than that's what it is; if it's a year, then that's what it is."

Continuity remained a talking point when the General was asked about the possibility of Balad Air Base in Iraq and other deployed locations becoming 12-month remote assignments.

"I think we will see a residual force in Iraq as we get beyond the August 2010 drawdown threshold, and then, according to the current agreement, combat forces have to be completely out in the 2011 timeframe," said General Schwartz. "But there will still be some folks left ... trainers, specialized units for counter-terrorism purposes, and others."
According to the General, Airmen in these types of billets will likely spend more than 120 days in theater, and many may spend up to a year. He added that the situation is very similar in Afghanistan.

"Continuity has been a challenge in Afghanistan," he said. "Relationships and personal contacts in Afghanistan are so vital that I think we will end up with people--particularly those who operate outside the wire--on longer duration tours."

When Defense Secretary Gates put a hold on the Air Force's Force Shaping Program, many hoped manning would increase. General Schwartz confirmed the service is returning some positions to select career fields.

"We're going to put at least 1,000 more spaces--and maybe closer to 2,000--back into maintenance disciplines," he said. "The bombers, B-52s in particular, are very short. Maintenance will get an infusion of manpower to try to stabilize the career field."

General Schwartz also addressed career field mergers and said some mergers may receive a second look.

"We have collapsed some career fields into one another and there are good questions about whether we are doing this the right way," he said. "Competence is defined in lots of different ways and knowing your weapon system should be a consideration. We have to strike a better balance between the notion that everybody can do everything and the recognition that people actually have to be competent in their required skill set and have some depth of experience.

General Schwartz said as the Air Force takes another look at manning and other issues, Airmen at the wings need to voice their concerns and up-channel their suggestions.

"We need you to help us make sure we get this right," he said. "You have to be a champion for the right formula and make sure your ideas are elevated to your leadership, so they can be passed on to me."

He ended with a reminder for all Airmen about ownership and a pledge to fix problems that may come along.

"All of us have a stake," he said. "It's very important for each of you to feel like this is your wing, this is your Wolf Pack, this is your Air Force. And if something isn't right, you need to raise the issue."

During his visit, General Schwartz also watched a security forces base defense demonstration and received the wing's mission briefing. The visit was General Schwartz's first trip to Kunsan since his appointment as Air Force Chief of Staff.