TOP STORY >> CMSAF visits the Rock

By 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody visited with Team Little Rock Airmen during a trip to Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., July 16 and 17.

Cody attended numerous briefs and talked with Airmen on a personal level, holding several face-to-face question and answer sessions with all ranks.

Additionally, Cody held an all call at Hercules Hall where he discussed contemporary issues and challenges for today’s Air Force and took questions from members in the audience.
Key topics during the visit were the deliberate development of the force as well as the balance of work and life requirements.

“We have to come to terms with the fact that we do have limited resources in both people and materials,” said Cody. “We have to recognize that and come to an appreciation that we can no longer continue to ask our Airmen to sacrifice to do more with so few resources. It’s unreasonable, it’s not sustainable. It is having a significant impact on the individual Airman and, certainly, their families.”

Cody stressed the importance of taking care of all Airmen so they are physically and mentally capable of supporting the mission.

“Do we really expect our Airmen to work hard and be extremely good at what they do?” Cody asked. “Absolutely. Do we expect them to come into work and do their level best to accomplish everything we’ve asked them to do? Absolutely. But, that time has to be reasonable. We cannot keep working longer; we cannot keep stretching individuals. We need to say ‘hey, it’s time to go home. Come back tomorrow; we’ll hit it hard. We’ll work hard,’ and that’s all anyone can expect of us.”

Another important topic Cody stressed during his visit was the issue of sexual assault in the military, an issue that has gained broad national attention and prompted the Department of Defense mandated Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Stand Down Day on base June 29.

“First and foremost, while we may not like it and I certainly don’t like it, we have to acknowledge the fact that we have a significant issue with sexual assault in our Air Force,” he said. “The only way we’re going to get to the right place in this, is that we all recognize it and we all take it personal to fix it. It’s going to come down to each and every individual Airman-how we treat each other with respect and dignity, how we create an environment where we trust each other, and how we make it impossible for this crime to take place amongst us.”    

Before he departed Little Rock, Cody stressed his appreciation for the men and women of TLR and their ability to perform the mission.

“I cannot thank the men and women of Team Little Rock enough for all they do for our Air Force, for all they do for our nation,” he said. “What they do and the support they receive from their families, enabling them to do this, is greatly appreciated and words will never truly articulate what that means to us.”