Academy hosts wing commanders, command chiefs

Wing commanders from across the Air Force get a briefing on the U.S. Air Force Academy’s remotely piloted aircraft systems during a tour of the Academy earlier this month. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jennifer Spradlin)

By Jennifer Spradlin, May 17, 2019

U.S. AIR ACADEMY, Colo. — The Air Force Academy is slated to welcome more than 700 wing commanders and command chiefs this year as it supports an Air Force initiative to create greater understanding between its wing leaders and the accessioning sources that produce officers.

The Academy hosted the first round of these leaders on a tour of airfield operations, various athletic, academic, and leadership development programs and common cadet areas May 2-3.

“I can’t overstate the importance of our partnership with operational commanders,” said Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, Air Force Academy superintendent. “The leaders we produce here go on to fill the ranks of their wings, and ultimately, help determine the success of their missions — so it’s important we don’t operate in a vacuum.”

Col. Robert Davis commands the 3rd Wing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. He earned his commission through the ROTC program at Texas A&M University. This was his first visit to the Academy despite two decades of service.

“I’m encouraged to see that character is at the forefront of seemingly every aspect of Academy training,” Davis said. “It’s the number one thing I look for in young officers because you can give somebody a skillset later in their career, but it’s really tough to change someone’s character.”

Davis was pleased to see how the Academy recruited individuals with strong character and then continued developing their character throughout their four-year cycle here.

Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, and Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, were also asked to host wing leaders.