News United States Air Force
 Enhancing partnerships through joint educationPublished Aug. 23, 2016
                        
                        By Staff Sgt. Kamaile Chan
                        
                        
                        Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
                **JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) --**
                About 20 U.S. and international junior enlisted members participated in the first U.S.-led Pacific Rim Junior Enlisted Leadership Forum here Aug. 8-12.During the five-day conference, Airmen and a Soldier from the U.S., and junior enlisted airmen from Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Maldives, Mongolia, New Zealand, Philippines and Singapore participated in discussions that allowed participants to share their experiences in leadership and learn more effective ways to lead in their organizations.The conference also included team-building activities, guided lessons, and senior leader briefings and panels. The activities incorporated some of the principles familiar to those who have completed one or several levels of Air Force professional military education."The professional development of our junior enlisted Airmen and Soldiers is important, and in this forum they are provided with valuable information and tools, with the focus being on international leadership development to further their growth as tomorrow's senior enlisted leaders," said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Buddy Hutchison, the Pacific Air Forces command chief. Hand-picked by their leadership, the multinational participants were able to bring their knowledge and experience to the conference, which enabled them to further strengthen alliances and partnerships in the Pacific."Diversity is so important in our militaries today," said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Horn, the Air University command chief and senior enlisted host of the conference. "Joint integration of our international militaries does not happen often enough or early enough in any given service member's career, so this forum provides a great opportunity for them to gain some leadership tools, to see the bigger picture and to understand how they fit in.”Attendees discussed leadership with a variety of speakers including U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Craig Wills, the PACAF Strategy, Plans, and Programs director, who was able to share his leadership experiences from an officer’s perspective. "Generals are not the most important people in an organization; they are the most visible, and often get the glory, but the real strength of our Air Force (are) our NCOs and Airmen,” Wills said. “Our front-line supervisors are the most important part of our Air Force. They make the mission happen. They train our Airmen, and they take care of our families. Without great junior NCOs, we won't have an Air Force."Video portions of the conference advised the attendees to be actively involved with their people. It also encourages them to focus less on how many stripes they have and more on being as effective as they can with their stripes.Philippine Air Force Sgt. Bernard Magpantay, the Promotion Branch NCO in charge, put these leadership tips into perspective for his peers.“As an NCO, I understand that it is no longer about me,” he said.  “My job now is to prepare those below me, so they are prepared to take my place in the future.”Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam 



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