ACC command chief visits Nellis, Oct. 15 Published Oct. 16, 2009 By Tech Sgt. Aileen Carter Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The most precious resources at Nellis are not the many aircrafts that help defend and protect our freedom overseas and in country, but the uniformed men and women who proudly serve as Airmen. Sometimes this is mentioned enough, and this what the command chief of Air Combat Command, Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Sullens, wanted to emphasize during his visit to Nellis, Oct. 15. As the sole enlisted advisor to ACC, the chief's scope of responsibility includes more than 84,000 enlisted Airmen at 25 wings, 15 bases and more than 200 locations oversees. He advises the ACC commander on issues, concerns, morale, welfare and readiness concerning Airmen. He also provides guidance to 39 command chief master sergeants and serves as a functional manager for ACC's 390 first sergeants. Escorted by Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Heinzen and Chief Master Sgt. Alfred Herring, the 57th and 99th Air Base Wing command chiefs, Chief Sullens visited Airmen in various work environments to gain a varied perspective of Nellis. Chief Sullens' visit to Nellis included a lunch with the Chief's Group, a speech at Airman Leader School's graduation, a visit of the Samek Airmen's Center, hosting an enlisted call, a tour of A-10 Thunder 57th Aircraft Maintenance Unit and flight line, an aerial perspective of the air traffic control tower and a visit with the 57th Information Aggressors. During the enlisted call held at the base theater, Chief Sullens met with Airmen to address concerns and listen to their inputs. There, he introduced the new and improved Air Force physical training shorts and passed them throughout his audience for each Airman to inspect. Coming Jan. 1, Airmen will embark on the new Air Force PT program, which will uphold a stricter fitness standard and will nurture a healthier and more fit culture. "I think Chief Sullens made it clear of what we can expect, in regards to the "new and enforced" PT standards," said Tech. Sgt. Steven Brettler, 57th Wing command chief assistant. "He also asked that we ensure our fellow Airmen are aware of the upcoming changes. It was nice to know that there's a new and improved PT uniform, (in the words of Chief Sullens) "coming soon to a theater near us - starting first with our deployed warriors." The topic of deployments surfaced and Chief Sullens said, "I had a chance to have dinner with several command sergeant majors, and do you know what they told me (about our Airmen)? They said Airmen have it together. They like working with the Air Force because we add a different dynamic and provide inputs." "Our Airmen are an extraordinary bunch; they have their niche and know what they want to do," said Chief Sullens. "They're driven. If we can retain them and keep that momentum, we'll remain the greatest Air Force in the world."
