Posted on 07/28/2005 4:39:29 PM PDT by SandRat
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- The commander of the Air Force Command and Control, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center became the first inductee into the Air Force District of Washington’s Order of the Sword during a ceremony here July 22.
Maj. Gen. Tommy F. Crawford received the highest honor and tribute noncommissioned officers can bestow upon an individual for his dedication to giving the unit’s enlisted force an equal hand in progressing the center’s unique mission.
As just the forth commander of the AFC2ISR Center, General Crawford continues to hone the charge first set out in 1995 by then-Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman -- to bring the warfighter the command and control tools that will revolutionize the battlefield of tomorrow.
To fully advance that charge, the general earned the commitment and dedication of the unit’s enlisted Airmen by focusing on three basic rules: first, to develop, nurture and mentor all Airmen as valuable Air Force assets and involve them as the end users of tools conceived at the center; second, to submit deserving Airmen for recognition programs, ensure they remain competitive for promotions and prepare them for future leadership roles; and third, to have a sincere concern for enlisted members and ensure their quality of life and job satisfaction.
“This general knew he had a wealth of talent at his disposal and ensured Airmen from across 35 enlisted specialties were provided the opportunity to fully use their skills, knowledge and expertise in providing valuable input and becoming lead contacts for integrating warfighter command and control efforts,” said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray during the ceremony.
A climate assessment ordered by the general revealed that many enlisted personnel felt they performed duties outside the scope of their specialties, said Chief Master Sgt. Carol A. Graham, the center’s chief enlisted manager. The issue seemed to be affecting the unit’s morale and the mission, so the general entrusted the enlisted members to fix the problem and backed them in every way.
“We made multiple changes, to include moving personnel into positions in which they could best use their job skills and upgrading/downgrading rank or changing the (Air Force Specialty Codes) of billets so we could acquire the skill sets required to perform our jobs,” said the chief. “His concern for fair treatment is a great morale booster and confidence builder which seems to come naturally to him.”
The impacts from projects led by the enlisted force were profound, said Chief Murray. Enlisted Airmen led the charge in the development and execution of a $7.3 million modernization investment plan to eliminate redundant training by warfighters. They also were vital in the development of an integrated plan for the $3 billion Distributed Common Ground Station, the Air Force’s major intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system.
As part of the ceremony, the thankful enlisted corps presented General Crawford with a sword, citation, proclamation and a scroll, which was signed by every enlisted member who attended the ceremony. The enlisted members also honored the general’s wife, Judy, for the role she played in supporting her husband. They made a $200 donation to the Air Force Aid Society in her name.
“I thought I was proud as an honorary chief,” said General Crawford of a previous honor enlisted members bestowed on him. “I’m absolutely humbled and proud.”
My wing commander won the very last SAC Order of the Sword back in '92 after he brought home a B-52 that had taken two SAM hits over Iraq.
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