CMSAF James Cody meets with Beale Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ramon A. Adelan
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

Beale Airmen had the opportunity to meet with Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody during his visit March 7 - 9, 2016, at Beale Air Force Base, California.

Cody immersed himself within the Beale community visiting an array of work centers, speaking in small group settings with Airmen and holding two all calls allowing Airmen the opportunity to ask questions about issues or concerns in today’s Air Force.

A key topic of discussion was the recent decision to integrate enlisted remotely piloted aircraft operators into the RQ-4 community.

“We clearly know our enlisted force can perform this mission if they are trained appropriately and meet the requirements and qualifications,” Cody said. “This is a priority for us, it’s a stable environment, and it makes sense to look at this as a way forward to increase capacity for the Air Force.”

Cody added Air Combat Command is the lead command for the integration, along with the experts here at Beale, which are addressing items such as career path development, training plans and an appropriate force structure.

In addition, Airmen voiced their concerns about the challenges Airmen face with the ever-changing Air Force.

“The most important thing we ask of Airmen is to be really good at their job,” Cody said. “It’s a challenge because they are seeing things change and that creates anxiety and uncertainty. I ask Airmen to stay focused on the task and to continue to be innovated and find better ways to improve the way we do business.”

Cody’s last stop was to the 548th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, during their night shift operations, to receive a first-hand view of the challenges they overcome regularly. These Airmen meet the demand of distributing ISR data to combatant commanders globally to assist with mission success.

“We are the most educated, the most experienced, the most battle-tested force the world has ever known,” Cody said. “Our Airmen have that advantage over any adversary and nothing will change that. We will continually develop our Airmen giving them the resources to perform at the best of their ability to accomplish what we ask of them.”