CSAF visits Indo-Pacific bases, stresses importance of DoD’s priority theater Published Aug. 28, 2022 By Tech. Sgt. Hailey Haux Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFNS) -- Col. Joshua Wood, 51st Fighter Wing commander, greets Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Aug. 12, 2022. Brown’s visit came as an effort to reinforce the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. recently traveled to locations across the Department of Defense’s priority theater, reinforcing 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.” Master Sgt. Jason Yunker, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels quality and compliance section chief, explains his Spark Tank invention to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. during his visit to Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 11, 2022. Yunker’s project, which won first place in the Pacific Air Forces Spark Tank 2022, repurposed pieces of unused equipment to create an additive injector which converts commercial fuel into military-grade fuel acceptable for aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sebastian Romawac) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res 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.” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., hosts an all call at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Aug. 12, 2022. During the all-call, Brown discussed the National Defense Strategy, Air Force doctrine, and Airman resiliency, among other topics. His visit to Kunsan AB and other air bases in the U.S. Indo-Pacific area of responsibility enabled him to recognize the contributions of Airmen serving in the region and reinforce U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Isaiah J. Soliz) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., speaks with Airmen during an all-call at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 11, 2022. Brown emphasized the value of strengthening relationships with regional allies and partners, while maintaining a long-term “campaigning” mindset toward upholding regional stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sebastian Romawac) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. is greeted by Col. Henry “Wolf” Jeffress, 8th Fighter Wing commander at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Aug. 12, 2022. Brown served as the 46th 8th Fighter Wing commander from May 2007 through May 2008. His visit to Kunsan and other air bases in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Area of Responsibility enabled him to recognize the contributions of Airmen serving in the region and reinforce U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Isaiah J. Soliz) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res While in the Indo-Pacific, Brown traveled to Singapore, the Philippines, and the South Korea, to meet with counterparts and other senior defense officials, as well as U.S. ambassadors and embassy staff. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. walks with Singapore Minister for Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen; Army Lt. Singapore Armed Forces Chief of Defence Force Gen. Melvyn Ong; and Republic of Singapore Air Force Chief of Air Force Maj. Gen. Kelvin Khong, during a trip to Singapore Aug. 7-10, 2022. The purpose of the visit was to reaffirm the U.S. Air Force commitment to the bilateral defense relationship and discuss efforts to enhance cooperation. (Courtesy photo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res 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; 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. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. is escorted by Col. Henry “Wolf 62” Jeffress, 8th Fighter Wing commander, after Brown’s arrival at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, Aug. 12, 2022. Brown’s visit to Kunsan AB and other air bases in the U.S. Indo-Pacific area of responsibility enabled him to recognize the contributions of Airmen serving in the region and reinforce U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Isaiah J. Soliz) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “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 the 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.