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Strategic alignment event sets course for Mile High wing

  • Published
  • By Daniel Butterfield
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

In early December, 2016, senior leaders from all 302nd Airlift Wing units met for three activity-filled days to participate in a strategic alignment event where the Reserve wing’s new mission, vision and priorities were established.

“The goal of the strategic alignment is to ensure that the direction the wing is headed incorporates all the elements of our higher headquarters,” said Maj. Pamela Potter, Continuous Process Improvement program manager for the 302nd AW and a co-facilitator for the event. “And that we are all headed in one uniform direction. That allows us to ensure we properly allocate resources. In particular to make sure the Airman’s time is well utilized.”

The four areas of focus for the event were taken from the Major Graded Areas in Air Force Instruction 90-201, The Air Force Inspection System. They were: Managing Resources, Leading People, Improving the Unit and Executing the Mission. The approximately 30 attendees, to include the 302nd AW commander, vice-commander and command chief, group and squadron commanders, group superintendents, first sergeants and personnel from staff offices broke out into groups to identify priorities within the MGAs and craft statements that support  the priorities.

Explaining the importance of establishing priorities, Potter said, “If we have problems, then we can use continuous process improvement to either help us reach the priorities or to improve how we are reaching the priorities. Another advantage to this model of improvement is everyone is speaking the same language. It makes it much easier to brief your leadership and to show your work. ‘I have a problem, here’s what I thought of it; here are the resources I need to fix it.’ And, if we have leadership expecting that, it’s a good communication tool,” Potter said.

“I want to thank our event participants for the work accomplished during our compact three-day strategic alignment event. We are committed. The journey has begun. The Strategic Alignment event provided the jumping off place to move our wing to the next highest level. The planning and the input from throughout the wing provides a solid framework or roadmap to direct our efforts and resources,” said Col. James DeVere, commander of the 302nd Airlift Wing. “Next, we will further develop our priorities and establish action plans that align with our priorities.  I encourage every 302nd member to consider how they, along with their units, can continue working toward executing our priorities.”

 

According to Potter in an ideal world units should accomplish these events every couple years. “You want an organization that runs on process improvement,” she said.

Outcomes from the 302nd AW strategic alignment event:

  • New Wing mission statement: Mile High Wing Delivering Global Power

  • New Wing vision statement: Mission-ready Citizen Airmen Inspired to Peak Performance Defending our Nation and Freedom

  • Priorities:

    • Proficient Airmen = Mission Excellence

    • Cultivate, Motivate, and Empower Airmen to Lead

    • Maximize Airmen’s Time through Prioritization and Efficient Training

    • Instill Process Improvement, Innovation, and ensure Accountability

    • Plan and Align Resources to Mitigate Risk