LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Laughlin hosted a senior noncommissioned officer summit, here, Nov. 3, 2022. The SNCO summit focused on providing 57 of Laughlin’s top enlisted leaders tools and information to effectively lead the wing’s Airmen into the future.
Senior NCOs comprise the top three ranks of the enlisted force and are responsible for integrating subordinates’ talents, skills, and abilities with other teams to effectively accomplish the mission. Laughlin’s SNCO summit focused on sharpening their skills in an effort to enhance Team XL.
“The overall purpose of the SNCO summit was to improve all of the SNCOs on base,” said Master Sgt. James Wolnik, 47th Force Support Squadron Airmen development advisor. “They spend so much of their time pouring into the development of others that they rarely take time to develop themselves. This event allowed them to become more familiar with the National Defense Strategy, events that are happening around the world regarding our pacing threats, and leadership tools to add to their toolbox.”
Each of the topics covered come from Air Force wide professional development seminars, highlighting topics that are important to Air Force leaders and are also a priority for Laughlin’s wing commander.
Professional development is critical to safeguarding the Air Force’s future by creating the best leaders possible. For Team XL, these SNCOs are responsible for keeping the mission going and creating the next generation of air power.
“Our SNCO’s have a critical role on this team, and we cannot get this mission done without them,” said Chief Master Sgt. David Snarr, 47th Flying Training Wing command chief. “Hosting this summit is one way we can strengthen the wing’s ability to produce combat-ready Airmen, leaders, and pilots. In addition to that, these leaders will also have impacts far beyond Laughlin in the future. It is critical that we take the time to develop them and create the strongest possible SNCO core for our service and nation.”
The Air Force faces some important challenges moving into the future, including advancing technology and near-peer competitors. Leaders and decision makers today could have a drastic effect on whether the Air Force is ready to overcome those challenges. To help prepare Laughlin’s SNCOs, intel instructors from Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, underscored some of those threats.
“One of the key takeaways is a better understanding of the threats posed by China and Russia,” Wolnik said. “The intel briefs helped provide a frame of what is happening around the world and gave participants a better understanding of the importance of the National Defense Strategy.”
Laughlin’s role in the in national defense is to produce pilots, and every member of Team XL plays a crucial role in that mission. The Air Force requires skilled, combat-ready pilots in order to stay ahead of pacing threats around the world.
The 2022 National Defense Strategy places key importance on cultivating a workforce the Department of Defense needs. People execute the strategy and Laughlin’s SNCO summit is one way the base will encourage personnel to gain a deep expertise about key technologies, competitors, and the future of warfare.