CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- After his two day orientation Lt. Gen Bradley Heithold, Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, left the men and women of the 27th Special Operations Wing with a challenge.
“We are going to fly more, we are going to train harder, and when General Votel [United States Special Operations Command commander] dials up an Air Commando, he’s going to get something special,” said Heithold.
Heithold toured the base military construction projects, Melrose Range and was briefed on current operations. He also sought out 27th SOW junior enlisted to hear their concerns and talk command priorities.
“It’s time we dialed up the pride within our command,” Heithold said. “We are going to do that by taking care of our own, getting our Airmen the training they require to take their careers and abilities to the next level and then giving them the opportunities to put that training to use in a meaningful way.”
After meeting with some of the wing’s junior Airmen, Heithold got a firsthand look at some of facilities at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., to include the single Airmen dormitories, the Exchange, the clinic and the fitness center.
Heithold outlined the way forward through four revamped priorities: providing combat ready forces for combatant commanders, creating the right environment for Airmen and their families to thrive, transforming the way Airmen train in order to groom elite performers and ensuring the 27 SOW possesses the necessary tools to take training to the next level.
Following an afternoon dedicated to hearing from Air Commandos, Heithold concluded his tour with a leadership call attended by commanders, deputies, chief master sergeants, senior NCOs and first sergeants.