Commander urges change through forum

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kyle Gese
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Twenty years ago, in 1995, the Air Force had 396,102 active duty Airmen - 88,776 more than today.

Brig. Gen. Patrick Doherty, 82nd Training Wing commander, said "It isn't the 1990s anymore and there are things the Air Force could afford to do when it had nearly 400,000 active duty members that it can't afford to do now, with nearly 300,000."

Doherty held a "Stop Doing" forum on Dec. 10, 2015, to open a direct line of commination with Sheppard Airmen in an effort to streamline best practices to help the Air Force operate more effectively and efficiently.

Not every idea will be able to be implemented due to legally-binding statutes or strongly advocated policies, but the forum allows Airmen to be heard by wing leadership.

"Our Air Force needs these types of ideas to move forward and I'm excited with what I have heard so far and eager to implement change to help the team and the mission," Doherty said. "We all know there are requirements out there that were great and useful and important ideas when they were implemented, but that we just can't sustain with fewer people and less resources."

During the "Stop Doing" forum, Doherty addressed concerns regarding current Sheppard issues that affect the training mission. Every issue was explained as to why a certain process was important to the morale and wellbeing of the military people or taken into consideration for change.

"I sense that he cares," said Eliot Lugo Hernandez, 365th Training Squadron integrated flight control systems instructor. "Being able to share my concerns, I believe with all my heart that he plans to do something and it makes me feel really excited."

"It's a great opportunity for everyone to be able to come to an open forum to talk about issues we are having," said Maj. Adam Mackenzie, 361st Training Squadron commander.

If you were unable to attend, but have an idea to share, send an email to the 82nd TRW inspector general workflow, 82trw.ig.workflow@us.af.mil, with "Stop Doing" in the subject line.