PDC hosts flight commanders' course

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jonathan Light
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The RAF Mildenhall Professional Development Center hosted a flight commanders' course Feb. 4 and 5, 2015.

The course focused on enhancing a flight commander's leadership, management and supervisory skills, and included guest speakers from base leadership.

Col. Kenneth T. Bibb Jr., 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, mentored the class of 26 officers and senior NCOs about the importance of being a flight commander. He focused on his experiences when he was a young officer and commander.

Bibb said flight commanders work closer with their Airmen than squadron, group or wing commanders and it's important for them to know how much their decisions affect Airmen on a more personal level. Flight commanders may deal with situations ranging from whom to send on a deployment, to issues an Airman may be having at home. Each task requires the flight commander's focus and an ability to make tough decisions. He emphasized the point that it's not about the sprint; it's about the long run.

In contrast to Bibb's perspective as a commander, Chief Master Sgt. Tracy Jones, 100th ARW command chief, focused more on what enlisted members need from their flight commander and what the flight commanders should expect from their Airmen, specifically their senior NCOs.

"The primary duties and responsibilities of senior NCOs is mission accomplishment, but we still need well rounded individuals in those positions," Jones said. "We need Airmen who go above and beyond what the Air Force asks of them."

The course also covered topics including enlisted force structure, training evaluations, the senior NCO enlisted promotion process, civilian and personnel functions, equal opportunity and Air Force Smart Operations 21 to help mold them into a successful flight commander.

"The course gave me a fresh set of eyes to try and find things to improve in the work center ranging from interpersonal skills, to disciplinary measures or morale issues," said 1st Lt. Dominque Williams, 352nd Special Operation Maintenance Squadron maintenance operations officer in charge. "The scope of my responsibilities as a flight commander has broadened after hearing all of the different speakers teach about their respective jobs."

Williams said he recommends newly appointed superintendents and brand new company grade officers take the course. The course offers attendees a chance to pick the brains of leaders around the base, and ask questions in open forum. He added, there is nothing to lose and everything to gain.