PACAF command chief visits Andersen

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Visiting bases is the most direct means the Pacific Air Forces' command chief has to communicate with PACAF Airmen and families, whether it's to listen to concerns, provide guidance for professional development or to deliver messages from Air Force leadership.

PACAF Command Chief Master Sgt. Brooke McLean visited Andersen June 1 through 3 to speak with Airmen here first-hand, and to let servicemembers know their efforts don't go unnoticed.

"When I joined in the Air Force in 1983 there was not a lot of public esteem for the military," Chief McLean said. "After the first Gulf War and 9/11 all that changed. Now people will stop you and they'll shake your hand and say 'thank you for what you do, thank you for your service.' It's a good time to be serving our nation and I thank you for being on the team with us."

With mission capabilities such as the continuous bomber presence, theater security package and a contingency response group poised for action anywhere in the area of responsibility, Andersen is a vital part of the Pacific's Strategic Triangle.

"Andersen takes on a great deal of the work being done in the Pacific theater," Chief McLean said. "I want to thank you for your service and as a Total Force partner in the Pacific and a great wing in PACAF. You are heroes in the eyes of [Gen. Gary North, PACAF commander] and in the eyes of the Air Force."

Chief McLean also expressed his appreciation for the families who support their servicemembers through the good and bad, thick and thin.

"I recognize the service and sacrifice of the families," he said. "It's easy for us to train and to deploy and focus on the mission, but it's very difficult for the families to stay at home. Not one of us could do our deployed mission without the love and support of our family members."

As the command chief, Chief McLean is responsible for leading the 35,000 Total Force enlisted men and women of Pacific Air Forces and advising the PACAF commander on all matters affecting the training, development and effective utilization of the enlisted force. He also coordinates with the headquarters staff, commanders and senior personnel on administration and implementation of command policy.

During his visit, Chief McLean met with Andersen chief master sergeants, first sergeants and Airmen to hear about issues from representatives at various tiers of the enlisted structure.

"I appreciate the opportunity to come over and talk with each of you," he said. "One of the best things I get to do at my job is come out and hear from people like you; people dealing with real issues and making the mission happen day in and day out. I want to find out what's on your mind and hear what you have to say so that we can do what it takes to fix it. When we're all on the same page, there's nothing we can't solve for the Air Force, for PACAF or for Andersen."