Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh told more than 140 wing commanders from across the Air Force at JB Andrews, Md., that leaders who are not directly and aggressively involved in ridding the service of sexual assault and sexual harassment are not part of the solution, but rather part of the problem. “The environment inside our Air Force is changing,” Welsh told these airmen during the Nov. 28 meeting, according to a Dec. 3 release. He continued, “But it hasn’t changed enough and it hasn’t changed in all the right ways to ensure integration of all airmen.” He emphasized that commanders “must ensure that every member of our Air Force is treated with respect and feels like a critically important part of the team.” Welsh said operationally, the Air Force is “doing great.” He noted that “mission-wise, we’re doing everything we’re supposed to be doing, and we’re doing it in outstanding fashion.” However, “the bottom line is performance,” and that performance comes from taking great care of airmen and their families and making sure they are proud of what they do, he said. (Washington, D.C., report by SMSgt. David Byron)
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.