WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The 445th Airlift Wing held its first Flight Commander’s Edge workshop May 3-5, 2021 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force to develop and support tomorrow’s leaders.
A team lead by Lt. Col. Karen M. Gharst, 445th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, planned and coordinated the event. To gain insight into how the course could benefit the 445th, Gharst attended the most recent Youngstown Air Reserve Station FCE course and gathered lessons learned and best practices.
“I spoke to attendees and read all of the surveys after the event, and it seems that all of the students really enjoyed it and took away some valuable lessons,” said Gharst. “This course is a great way to encourage professional development and deliver specific development needs to the wing. With that information in mind, we put together an amazing team to make it happen here.”
The 445th AW’s FCE attendees included 31 senior enlisted and junior officers. They heard from a variety of speakers including Brig. Gen. Mitchell Richardson, Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Operational Capability Requirements, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy, Integration and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force and former 89th Airlift Squadron commander,
Attendees heard discussions on topics such as conflict management, emotional intelligence, preparing to command, ethical leadership and how to develop personally and professionally. Additionally, the students and presenters were given a unique behind-the-scenes tour of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force’s restoration unit. The feedback from the event was positive and constructive.
“The most positive, consistent feedback we received was that the briefers were all very dynamic and delivered interesting messages. The commanders across the wing did a great job, and we really appreciate their support,” said Gharst. “Many of the attendees mentioned that a lot of the information they received about leadership was new to them.”
The three-day event not only gave participants the chance to hear about relevant leadership topics and learn from subject matter experts, it also gave them a chance to provide their own input and develop their own leadership perspectives by interacting with speakers.
“It was very organized, planned out and the presenters did an outstanding job,” said Senior Master Sgt. Michael W. Pressler, 445th Maintenance Group maintenance operations superintendent, who attended the course. “Multiple topics were covered and I learned many great things about leadership. It was by far the best leadership course that I have ever attended.”
The Flight Commander’s Edge course was created in 2018. The training’s design allows course planners and participants to tailor the course to their specific environment, and each wing can determine how it will implement and allocate appropriate support for its own course, providing versatility. Gen. David L. Goldfein, former Chief of Staff of the Air Force, personally promoted the program as a way to provide quality development for wing leaders.
“We are looking to build flight commander leadership within the squadrons,” said Lt. Col Jonathan Askins, the 445th AW chief of safety, who was one of the event’s planners. “Having direct interaction with our leadership was a great opportunity to build on that. We got a lot of positive feedback, and I think there is a demand for professional development courses of this caliber.”
The 445th Airlift Wing is currently one of only a handful of units that has taken advantage of Flight Commander’s Edge in this format, and given its successful first run, it seems that the 445th FCE course will continue to grow and evolve over the years to come.
“Our vision is to do this at least once a year,” said Gharst. “Many of our participants wished the course was longer and that they had more time. I think that shows how important this course is. I believe that Flight Commander’s Edge will offer wing leadership an effective way to address strategic issues and local leadership challenges.”