86th Airlift Wing leadership refines strategic plan

by 2nd Lt. Kay M. Nissen
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs


Commander’s Calls!
The 86th Airlift Wing commander’s calls will be held in Hangar 3 at the following dates and times: 9 a.m. Tuesday, and 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday

Leaders from the 86th Airlift Wing refined the wing’s mission and vision, and developed five overarching priorities during a strategic planning event Aug. 13 through 17 at the Ramstein Officers’ Club.

During the course of the week, wing leaders from multiple levels participated to discuss and develop the wing’s major priorities for the future.

“Strategic planning has to be integrated,” said event facilitator Chuck Parke. “I applaud you for doing this.”

Parke is an executive director at the University of Tennessee’s Center for Executive Education, and regularly teaches strategic planning fundamentals to newly promoted general officers and senior executive service civilians.

The wing commander, vice commander, vice director, group commanders, inspector general and command chief performed a strength, weakness, opportunity and threat analysis to formulate the top five priorities for the wing.  With the priorities identified, leadership defined objectives, discussed possible metrics and determined tasks to meet each priority.

“This event ensures everyone talks with a single voice,” said Col. Scott Morris, 86th AW inspector general.

“We talk with the same voice, communicating the same priorities to have a single direction.”

“The value added from this event, for me, is to be able to develop a message for the enlisted corps to focus on the priorities for the wing,” added 86th AW
Command Chief James Morris. “It’s easy to get stuck in the doldrums of the day-to-day grind if you’re just doing what you’re told and you don’t understand why.”

Leaders focused on all aspects of wing priorities, from readiness and mission focus to Airman development.

“Developing a strategic plan is a good start to doing what’s necessary,” said William Stewart, 86th AW vice director. “Our objective here is to align the wing
priorities with our unit, installation and personnel missions.”

In the out briefing, Brig. Gen. C.K. Hyde, 86th AW commander, outlined the process used and the results of the team’s efforts for the entire 86th leadership team, including 86th AW deputy group commander, group superintendents and squadron commanders. 

“The easy part is the planning,” Parke said. “Execution is the key to success.”
“At the Airman level, there will be specific tasks that will help them succeed at their unit, mission and career,” Morris said. “These tasks guide readiness and professional development helping them grow into productive members of the profession of arms.”

The overall results of the strategic planning event will be presented to wing members at commander’s call on 9 a.m. Tuesday, and 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday in Ramstein’s Hangar 3.