U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. recently traveled to locations across the Department of Defense’s priority theater, reinforcing the U.S. and U.S. Air Force commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and recognizing the contributions of Airmen and families serving there.
Brown was able to meet Airmen face-to-face at six wings to discuss his strategic approach, Accelerate Change or Lose and empower Airmen at all levels.
“Good enough today will fail tomorrow,” Brown said at an all-call with the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan. “As Airmen, we need to integrate and accelerate the changes necessary to develop our talent and maintain our advantage. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable; we cannot rest on our laurels … we must change and evolve to meet the threats we face today.”
During each stop, Brown hosted an all-call and participated in small-group meals with Airmen. Visiting base facilities and participating in meetings and briefings at each installation gave him a first-hand look at the hard work Airmen do to keep the mission going.
“I couldn’t be prouder of what we’re able to do,” Brown said during an all-call with the 15th Wing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. “That’s why I love our mission statement: fly, fight and win … Airpower, anytime, anywhere. It’s not sometime in someplace; it’s anytime, anywhere, when our nation calls. We do that because of all of you.”
While in the Indo-Pacific, Brown traveled to Singapore, the Philippines, and South Korea, to meet with counterparts and other senior defense officials, as well as U.S. ambassadors and embassy staff.
In Singapore, he visited with Singapore Minister for Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen; Singapore Armed Forces Chief of Defence Force Army Lt. Gen. Melvyn Ong; the Republic of Singapore Air Force Chief of Air Force Maj. Gen. Kelvin Khong; and U.S. Ambassador Jonathan Kaplan.
“Strong bilateral relationships like that of the U.S. and Singapore are cultivated over time and are based on communication and transparency and shared values and interests,” Brown said.
In the Philippines, he met with Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro; Philippine Air Force Command General Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony D. Canlas, Sr.; and U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Loss Carlson.
“The U.S.-Philippine alliance is strong; we support a resilient and independent Philippines with the capability to protect its sovereignty and defend its security interests on its own terms,” he said.
In addition to visiting two U.S. air bases while in South Korea, Brown met with South Korea Air Force General Jung Sang-Hwa and discussed how continued close collaboration and commitment to strengthening readiness will further enhance the U.S.-ROK alliance.
Brown also visited the 345th Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska; the 36th Wing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan AB and the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan AB, South Korea. His trip was part of a series of visits by Department of the Air Force leaders to locations in U.S. Indo-Pacific Command focused on Airmen, allies, and partners.
