– Written by Lt. Col. Kristen Thompson, 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron Commander
As Airmen in the 552nd Air Control Wing, we must be warfighters who can do it all … fly, fight, win … and also lead, develop, and command. In essence, we must possess the necessary skills to balance everything we have on our plate.
The first question to ask is, how do we learn and perfect these vital skills? My answer is with mentorship. We have to build upon our core identity as Airmen which sets us apart from the other services.
Our airminded thinking comes from a proud heritage of innovative thinkers to whom we can continually look for a creative vision. The Air Force has a lot of expensive toys— technologically advanced aircraft and high powered equipment — but it’s really the brains of our Airmen that are our most lethal weapon.
It’s my job as a squadron commander to foster and cultivate that creative thinking to solve many of the issues and combat-related concerns we face.
The Air Force is centered upon producing effects from decisive airpower, but the character of those effects is really generated by the collective brilliant mass of Airmen charged with producing these effects. I continuously mentor my Airmen on how they fit into the big picture and how their background, unique experiences, training, and expertise is critical in making us the best Air Force the world has ever seen.
Because we celebrate the uniqueness of our Airmen, I decided to ask a wide range of members in the 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron about their thoughts on mentorship. I think you will be excited about what you hear from Vikings regarding enhancing the overall organizational success and professionalism of the Combat Air Force.
Capt. Joshua Martz, aircraft commander and flight commander: “The key to my job as a flight commander is to promote the professional development of my Airmen — I must continually challenge them to improve while balancing mission requirements, readiness and personnel development. Mentorship is paramount to building our future leaders.”
Master Sgt. Brian Hite, air surveillance technician and flight chief: “You manage things; you lead people. I have the privilege of leading 55 stellar surveillance officers and technicians in accomplishing our command and control mission. I work every day to ensure I support a culture that teaches discipline, enhances morale, encourages innovative thinking and promotes combat readiness.”
Capt. Sara Patrick, instructor navigator and flight commander: “Mentorship is the opportunity to share my experience and training with my Airmen to build them into more professional operators.”
Airman 1st Class Jason Whelan, computer display maintenance technician, mobility technician: “My mentors in the squadron have helped me become a leader. I became a Viking last summer and was ready to deploy right away. My mentors helped me gain experience as a CDMT and I returned from deployment ready to be a mentor to the newest Airmen in my Flight.”
Tech. Sgt. Laura Yetsko, instructor communications technician and flight NCOIC: “Mentorship is all about professional growth. I want to help those I work with become more well-rounded Airmen and contribute to the overall success of the squadron. I want to help each Airman I work with reach their full potential and enhance the professionalism of the squadron and the Air Force.”
Capt. Robert Ferreira, senior director and deputy chief of Squadron Tactics: “To me, mentorship is all about making those you work with better. I take great pride in being a mentor and helping prepare our Vikings for increased responsibility by encouraging personal and professional development.”
Karol Hughes, civilian, unit program coordinator: “Being a young sergeant on a remote tour, I was mentored by an older and wiser NCO who taught me how to think outside the box while maintaining professionalism and decorum. Just because things have been done a certain way for years, does not mean that it’s the best and only way of doing them. He taught me to take chances with my ideas. I mentor the young NCOs that I work with that it is better to have failed than to not have tried at all.”
Every one of our Airmen has a mentorship story. It’s important to be a mentor and challenge our Airmen every day to be the very best they can be. Every single person we have the privilege to lead and to mentor deserves our attention, and I have no doubt, they will continue to impress us with their brilliance and determination.