CMSAF visits Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, emphasizes family, professional development

25 Aug 2010 | Staff Sgt. Carolyn Viss

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy met with Airmen here July 30 and discussed his focus areas.

His tour of JB Hickam was part of a larger Pacific tour to neighboring countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and Australia.

"It's great to be back here to see the Airmen and what they're doing, and to tell them how important they are to the overall effect our Airmen are having on the battle space," said Chief Roy, who previously served as the senior enlisted leader and adviser for U.S. Pacific Command at nearby Camp H.M. Smith.

There are a couple thousand Airmen deployed from bases in Pacific Air Forces who have families remaining abroad, and Chief Roy expressed concern for their care, safety and wellbeing.

Throughout his interactions with Airmen here, he emphasized the importance of Air Force families.

"This is not a theater of war, and we'd like to keep it that way," Chief Roy said. "Our Airmen here do that every single day by the relationships they continue to form with our partner nations -- the 'neighborhood,' if you will."

While at JB Hickam, Chief Roy visited several organizations on base where he shared his perspectives and answered questions from Airmen.

"Getting face-to-face feedback from our Airmen is why I spend so much time on the road," he said. "I want to hear what's on their minds."

While the priorities of the CMSAF are the Air Force priorities, Chief Roy said his office has three key focus areas.

"First, we look at how we can continue to build our NCOs to be incredible and coalition partners," he said. "Education, training and experience are the three areas of deliberate development which help prepare our Airmen for the future."

"Finally, we are working to build resiliency among our Airmen and their families," said Chief Roy, who serves as the personal adviser to the chief of staff and the secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale and proper utilization and progress of the enlisted force.

"My family and I have fond memories of the Hawaiian Islands," Chief Roy said. "It's good to be home."