News United States Air Force
 Air Force chief of staff visits Cannon AFBPublished April 17, 2023
                        
                        By 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
                        
                        
                        27th Special Operations Wing
                **CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS) --**
                Air Force**Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.**and his spouse, Sharene Brown, visited**Cannon Air Force Base**, April 12.

During his visit, Brown met with27th Special Operations Wing leadership, held a breakfast with junior enlisted Airmen and hosted an all-call for Airmen across the wing. At the all-call, Brown spoke about the importance of prioritizing the needs of Airmen and emphasized the vital role they play as the Air Force adapts to address pacing, acute and unforeseen challenges of the future.

Brown also spoke about the future operating environment, expanding on why it’s important Airmen shift to a multi-capable mindset.U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kristina Montgomery, 27th Special Operations Wing command chief, Maria Taylor, 27th SOW commander’s spouse, and Col. Terence Taylor, 27th Special Operations Wing commander, honor the departure of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., on Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.Chief Master Sgt. Kristina Montgomery, 27th Special Operations Wing command chief, Maria Taylor, 27th SOW commander’s spouse, and Col. Terence Taylor, 27th Special Operations Wing commander, honor the departure of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., April 12, 2023. During his visit, Airmen from across the wing highlighted innovative efforts that enable multi-functional Airmen and provide a combat capable force that is ready today and relevant tomorrow. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cassidy Daniel)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    A group of people are gathered to discuss resources available to Airmen and their families at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.The Integrated Resilience Operations Network team briefs Sharene Brown, spouse of the Air Force chief of staff, about their programs, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., April 12, 2023. The IRON team provides a multitude of resources to all of Cannon AFB and their families. Some of these resources include Preservation of the Force and Family and family life counselors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexcia Givens)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    The 17th Special Operations Squadron briefed U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., on their involvement in worldwide exercises.The 17th Special Operations Squadron brief Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., on the squadron’s involvement in worldwide exercises, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., April 12, 2023. These current and future exercises prepare air commandos for full-spectrum operations in complex environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cassidy Daniel)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res  “You might be the first person there,” Brown explained.“There will be no internet. There will be no places to eat. Once we get there, we're going to have to be able to set up and be ready to go. That's what Agile Combat Employment is about — we’ve got to be lean and agile. We’ve got to think differently about what we bring; we can't bring everything. We’ve also got to think about the fact that we're going to be contested.”

During the all-call, Brown also emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health and resilience. He encouraged Airmen to take care of themselves, reach out to others, and seek out helping entities or health professionals if such services are needed. He also charged leaders to look at themselves, address any atmospherics or cultural challenges, and help Airmen develop a sense of purpose and connection.

“It's really taking time to get to know each other,” Brown said. “Get to know the Airman to your left — it's kind of tough to figure out someone's having a bad day if you have no idea what a good day looks like.”

While Brown met with base leaders, his wife Sharene met with spouses for a candid discussion onthe challenges Cannon AFB Airmen and their families face and how they can address those challenges.

Two Airmen talk to each other about a powerpoint slide show.Airmen from the 27th Special Operations Maintenance Group brief Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., on their efforts to enable multi-functional Airmen, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., April 12, 2023. Multi-functional Airmen help reduce the required logistics footprint in austere environments supporting AC-130J and MQ-9 operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cassidy Daniel)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    









She and Brown also met with local civic leaders to discuss the**FiveandThrive**initiative that aims to tackle issues with childcare, education, healthcare, access to safe and affordable housing, spouse employment, and how the Air Force and the community can work together to improve the quality of life for Airmen and their families.Concluding his trip, Brown explained why visits to wings are so important forhim and thanked the Cannon AFB team.“When I go on these trips, I have a chance to meet with Airmen and hear some of the things they're up against,” Brown said. “As you might imagine, there are a lot of layers between you andI — so, I get to hear some things firsthand. I take that back [to the Pentagon] and start asking a lot of hard questions about changes needed to make sure we can execute our mission to fly, fight and win, to deliver Airpower anytime, anywhere. Thanks again for the opportunity to spend time with you. Thanks for what you do for our Air Force. Thanks for what you do for our nation.”LR 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



Gen. QC Brown Jr. 



CSAF 



accelerate change 



Cannon Air Force Base 



27th Special Operations Wing 



Airmen 



Agile Combat Employment 



Multi-Capable Airmen 



Mental health 



resilience 



Five & Thrive