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9th Air Force leaders visit Shaw Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nicole Sikorski
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Lawrence Wells, 9th Air Force commander, and Chief Master Sgt. James Davis, 9th Air Force command chief, visited Airmen here at Shaw, April 9.

Wells and Davis took a tour of the 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance flight, the 20th Medical Support Squadron medical logistics flight, the 20th Component Maintenance Squadron hydraulics flight and the 20th Operational Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment flight.

Shaw leaders and Airmen familiarized Wells and Davis with their daily duties and took them on a tour of each of their squadrons.

Wells and Davis, escorted by Col. Clay Hall, 20th Fighter Wing commander and Chief Master Sgt. James Wilkerson, 20th FW command chief, answered questions from Airmen about tuition assistance, knowing your wingmen and volunteering in the community.

"You can't lead from behind a desk," said Col. Clay Hall, 20th FW commander. "It's important for leadership at all levels to get out and visit our Airmen in their work place to better understand what's on their minds, answer questions (from a) leadership perspective and to experience their working conditions first hand. Personal interaction is essential to developing professional relationships. It can't be accomplished through email. Taking care of Airmen and their families is a priority in the Air Force and the 20th FW, and there is no better way of getting feedback than going out and visiting work areas and talking to people."

The visit from Shaw leadership did not go unappreciated according to Senior Airman Matthew Holloway, 20th LRS vehicle technician.

"It is good to know that leadership, even at its highest levels, can show appreciation to the young Airmen at Shaw," said Holloway. "It was a great opportunity to ask questions and gain insight on things such as tuition assistance and the future of the Air Force."