OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The 55th Wing hosted a Flight Commander Course at the Dougherty Conference Center Feb. 9-10, 2022.
The two-day course offered new flight commanders a focused and timely approach to ensure they are best armed to execute the mission, take care of their Airmen and families, and build relationships across the wing, base and the Department of Defense.
“I hope attendees were able to reflect on their leadership skills and to use the experiences of their peers and guest speakers to be better prepared to take on the most important role in the Air Force; taking care of and leading Airmen,” said Lt. Col. James Ruby, 97th Intelligence Squadron commander, who served as one of the panelists.
Group and squadron commanders, division chiefs and senior enlisted leaders from across Team Offutt provided their own unique insights during a variety of sessions. Some of the topics included chaplain and legal resources, insights on formal and informal feedback, and a first sergeant perspective panel.
“I thought the course was well done,” said attendee Maj. Sheila Brown, 55th Healthcare Operations Squadron. “I work in the (Ehrling Bergquist Clinic), which is separated from the base, so I don’t have much opportunity to interact with members outside the medical group or learn about the overall wing mission.”
In addition, attendees had the opportunity to engage one-on-one with squadron and group commanders and senior enlisted leaders during two leadership panels.
“No matter the squadron or group affiliation, all the leadership shared some of the same messages,” Brown said. “Feedback was a consistent theme throughout the presentations, and I appreciated the teams’ leadership perspectives.”
The Flight Commander Course is a new line of effort for the wing, whose focus is on professional development throughout an Airman’s career.
“It is always inspiring to see the next generation of leaders taking their development seriously,” Ruby said. “Opportunities like these solidify my belief that the future of the Air Force is in great hands.”