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20th FW commander, command chief look forward to 2016

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zade Vadnais
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Hundreds of people from different corners of Shaw Air Force Base pour into an aircraft hangar. The air may be cold, but the energy is warm as people look forward to the possibilities provided by the new year and the opportunity to improve upon themselves as husbands, wives, friends and Airmen.

U.S. Air Force Col. Stephen Jost, 20th Fighter Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Christopher McKinney, 20th FW command chief, held two all-calls for 20th FW personnel and local community leaders to ring in the new year Jan. 5, at Shaw AFB, South Carolina.

"I want to say thank you for what you do," McKinney said. "Thank you for your service, thank you for your family's service and if you've served previously, thank you for your service as well. Thank you for all the work you did in 2015 and thank you for being safe."

Since the 20th FW held the all-calls on a safety stand down day, Jost and McKinney took the opportunity to remind Team Shaw personnel about the importance of safety both on- and off-the-job before reviewing Team Shaw's 2015 accomplishments, recognizing outstanding performers and motivating 20th FW personnel to "Airman Up!" in the new year.

Jost reiterated to attendees that the U.S. Air Force's most recent safety goals include zero on-duty fatalities and a 50 percent reduction in reportable mishaps both on- and off-duty before proudly announcing that Team Shaw had met both goals in 2015.

The 20th FW commander also reminded those in attendance about his Airman Up! campaign, which empowers Airmen to take responsibility for their personal improvement, enhance their resiliency and leave a positive impact on their coworkers and the Air Force as a whole.

"It's not a bumper sticker, it's a tool for you to use and embrace," Jost declared. "It's about knowing the people you work with. If you supervise them, you're responsible for nurturing them, challenging them, disciplining them and growing them because one day they'll replace you.

"When you're in your rocking chair two generations of Air Force later, you'll be safe and secure because they took what you gave them and passed it on. That's how the Air Force works."
After reviewing the 20th FW's projected 2016 calendar and recognizing some of Team Shaw's outstanding performers, including a presentation of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Maj. Keith Moore, 20th Operations Support Squadron weapons and tactics flight chief, Jost congratulated attendees on a successful year and expressed his hopes for the future of Shaw AFB and the Airmen who call it home.

"Know that I am proud of your accomplishments in 2015 and you should be too," Jost said. "Next year when I'm gone, Airman Up! could be dead; it's kind of my thing. Hopefully it's not. Hopefully it stays inside your hearts."

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20th FW commander, command chief look forward to 2016

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zade Vadnais
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Hundreds of people from different corners of Shaw Air Force Base pour into an aircraft hangar. The air may be cold, but the energy is warm as people look forward to the possibilities provided by the new year and the opportunity to improve upon themselves as husbands, wives, friends and Airmen.

U.S. Air Force Col. Stephen Jost, 20th Fighter Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Christopher McKinney, 20th FW command chief, held two all-calls for 20th FW personnel and local community leaders to ring in the new year Jan. 5, at Shaw AFB, South Carolina.

"I want to say thank you for what you do," McKinney said. "Thank you for your service, thank you for your family's service and if you've served previously, thank you for your service as well. Thank you for all the work you did in 2015 and thank you for being safe."

Since the 20th FW held the all-calls on a safety stand down day, Jost and McKinney took the opportunity to remind Team Shaw personnel about the importance of safety both on- and off-the-job before reviewing Team Shaw's 2015 accomplishments, recognizing outstanding performers and motivating 20th FW personnel to "Airman Up!" in the new year.

Jost reiterated to attendees that the U.S. Air Force's most recent safety goals include zero on-duty fatalities and a 50 percent reduction in reportable mishaps both on- and off-duty before proudly announcing that Team Shaw had met both goals in 2015.

The 20th FW commander also reminded those in attendance about his Airman Up! campaign, which empowers Airmen to take responsibility for their personal improvement, enhance their resiliency and leave a positive impact on their coworkers and the Air Force as a whole.

"It's not a bumper sticker, it's a tool for you to use and embrace," Jost declared. "It's about knowing the people you work with. If you supervise them, you're responsible for nurturing them, challenging them, disciplining them and growing them because one day they'll replace you.

"When you're in your rocking chair two generations of Air Force later, you'll be safe and secure because they took what you gave them and passed it on. That's how the Air Force works."
After reviewing the 20th FW's projected 2016 calendar and recognizing some of Team Shaw's outstanding performers, including a presentation of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Maj. Keith Moore, 20th Operations Support Squadron weapons and tactics flight chief, Jost congratulated attendees on a successful year and expressed his hopes for the future of Shaw AFB and the Airmen who call it home.

"Know that I am proud of your accomplishments in 2015 and you should be too," Jost said. "Next year when I'm gone, Airman Up! could be dead; it's kind of my thing. Hopefully it's not. Hopefully it stays inside your hearts."