Former 18th Air Force commanders share wisdom

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Former commanders, wing commanders and command chief masters sergeants of the 18th Air Force met for a conference June 23, 2011, at The Landings Club at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

Lt. Gen. William Welser (ret.), Maj. Gen. James Hawkins (ret.), Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott (ret.) and Col. Earl Young (ret.), former 18 AF commanders, spoke about resiliency, leadership and effective management, and responded to questions posed by the audience. Colonel Young started the conference by detailing the history of the numbered Air Force.

"Resiliency ... has always characterized the United States military and the 18 AF," said Colonel Young.
His words were echoed by General Welser, who emphasized the importance of observing the "genealogy of command."

"It took great resiliency [to form the 18 AF]," said General Welser. "The transition wouldn't have been possible without the collaboration between commissioned and enlisted senior leadership."

Colonel Young said major transitions in military organizations require four components: energy, incentive, belief in the benefit of change and confidence in the leadership.

The Generals offered advice to the audience about creating sustainable and successful partnerships between wing commanders and chief master sergeants.

"Resilient leadership means being supportive to all Airmen, from Airman Basics to Generals," said General Welser. "This can only be accomplished if senior leadership allows their workforce to do their job."

The future leadership of 18 AF was also discussed. The Generals highlighted the necessity to groom servicemembers for positions of authority from the start of their career.

"It is especially important to grow your replacements into the leaders they will become," said General Hawkins. "Those who ignore history are cursed to relive it, so make sure they learn from past mistakes."

The meeting ended with Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, current 18 AF commander, presenting Colonel Young with a birthday cake to honor his 98th birthday. Many generations of Airmen sang together to commemorate the 18 AF's first commander.