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CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti — Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy recently took a trip to the Horn of Africa to visit Airmen of U.S. Air Force Africa.
The chief spoke with about 350 Airmen and toured several units and locations in Africa to get a better awareness of their needs and to understand what the AFAFRICA mission brings to the fight.
“These visits give me a better understanding of the mission and different mission sets that are here in AFAFRICA,” Roy said. “I want to make sure anyone who deploys here is prepared and has been prepared correctly.”
The chief continued to stress training, bold leadership, taking care of Airmen and resiliency as he talked with different groups of Airmen during several all calls.
“Life matters,” Roy said. “You matter to us and to your families.”
The chief said another goal of trips like this is making sure all Airmen know that leadership are focused on them, thinking about them and are confident they will accomplish the mission.
“You are important to our mission … and we will continue to supply you with the tools you need to continue that mission,” he said during the all call.
Taking care of Airmen and staying focused on the task at hand is important, but there is another key piece to why Airmen are in Africa.“A big part of what we do in areas like this is to continue to foster positive relationships with our partner nations,” Roy said.
Continued focus on the security of the nation and maintaining a solid presence around the world are key to the Air Force’s success, he said.
“As we are operating across a vast area, the people of Africa get to learn more about what we, as Americans, are all about,” Roy said. “It’s those positive relationships that … let them know we are here to work with them.”
Working with partner nations will always involve struggles, but Roy said the professionalism of the joint force will help with continued growth and stability in the region.
“In the few short years I have been chief master sergeant of the Air Force … effectiveness in the battlespace has seen drastic improvements,” he said. “There are constant improvements being made in areas across Africa, both with the infrastructure and the development of the joint force, and I hope it continues to improve.”
One message the chief expressed during his visit was the sacrifice family members make when Airmen deploy.
He gave the Airmen a personal tasker to contact their loved ones and tell them just how much leadership appreciates the sacrifices they make.
