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After getting a chance to settle in, the new 435th Air Ground and Operations Wing commander, Col. Joseph D. McFall, was able to sit down with public affairs and answer a few questions about his expectations for the wing and its Airmen.
HH: What do you look forward to most with being the AGOW commander at Ramstein?
CM: I have been an F-16 pilot for most of my time in the Air Force, which has been really great, but this is a totally different mission and I am really excited to learn and do something outside of my comfort zone. I’m looking forward to meeting the AGOW Airmen who are out there on a daily basis, forward deployed in multiple areas of responsibility and really doing a cool mission.
HH: From your past assignment in Spangdahlem, what are you most proud of and what do you think you learned the most from?
CM: I’ve learned a great deal getting outside of flying operations and experiencing the breadth and depth of everything that makes a wing run. I cut up cars and put out fires with the fire department, checked IDs at the gate with security forces, plowed the runway with the civil engineers and packed equipment with the logisticians just to see what it takes to make a base run. Spending time with these professionals was very gratifying for me.
HH: How are you going to use what you learned at Spangdahlem for being a commander here?
CM: The biggest thing I learned at Spangdahlem is it’s much better to go out and learn all parts of the mission. You can’t spend all your time in one area … you won’t get a feel for what’s going on. Additionally, it was very beneficial to be a vice wing commander and work for a really good wing commander who encouraged me to experience all aspects of the wing and everything that he was doing.
HH: What are your expectations for the 435th AGOW and its Airmen?
CM: I have one big expectation. I expect everyone to do their job to the best of their abilities while honoring the Air Force core values. If there is something they can’t do, then I want them to tell me, so we can help fix it. Conversely, our Airmen can count on me to fight for things they need to get the job done and to be their biggest champion.
HH: How important are joint and international partnerships?
CM: The reality of the situation is the military is shrinking. Is that going to be for the long haul? Who knows? But for the environment we live and work in right now, we have fewer resources to get the job done. Any time you can make a partner nation stronger, it helps us out. The more capable partners you have, the better the mission gets done. The exchange of information and ways of doing business also help strengthen partnerships. All of a sudden, you get a great idea. We can take those ideas and get even better. I think the same goes for our coalition partners … we’re trying to give them those ideas.
HH: As a commander, how do you maintain balance in your personal and professional life?
CM: No matter how long you serve in the Air Force, it only lasts so long, but your family is forever. I always try to eat dinner with my family, to sit at the table and talk about the day. To me, my weekends are precious, so if I don’t have to be in the office doing something, I will be home with my family. I think it sets an example for everyone. You have to have that diversion outside of work to remain an effective Airman.
HH: Do you have a mentor or hero that you look up to for guidance? Who are they and why do you look up to them?
CM: I have had fantastic leaders. I really have not had a bad person that I have worked for, and I have learned something from all of them. I would say my wife and my kids are my heroes. It can be a crazy life moving around. Anytime I get caught up in the craziness going on at work, I take a look when I go home and think all along the way they have been with me, and they have been through all the same things. My oldest daughter, who is 15, has now moved 11 times. My kids still make friends and they still have fun, and that is pretty cool to me.
HH: What facet of the Air Force do you find to be the most valuable?
CM: I really like the camaraderie and the professionalism. What I mean by that is for the most part everyone loves their job, and it’s a great thing to be around. To see smiles and to see people happy about doing their work no matter how mundane it is … that to me is gratifying.
HH: Anything else you would like to add?
CM: I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be here and what an honor and a privilege it is to command this wing. To have this opportunity is something beyond my wildest dreams. I have every reason in the world to smile.
