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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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AFRC command chief visits Niagara Airmen, discusses hot-button topics

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Chelsea Gitzen
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA AIR RESERVE STATION --  Chief Master Sgt. Dwight Badgett, Air Force Reserve Command command chief, visited Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station during the October Unit Training Assembly as part of his 36-month effort to tour 36 installations.

The chief visited Airmen from nearly every unit, speaking about important elements of being an Air Force reservist and asking for anyone to present questions, concerns or advice to take back to command.

"The purpose of Chief Badgett's visit was to meet as many of his Niagara Airmen as possible, bring Lieutenant General Stenner's [AFRC commander] message to them, and then communicate directly with them regarding their concerns, issues and challenges," said Chief Master Sgt. Scott Scharlau, 914th Airlift Wing command chief.

During his time with Airmen from Niagara ARS, the Chief addressed the issues facing force development and surpassing physical training requirements.

"It's my message that we have got to do a better job in this command of developing our enlisted force," said Chief Badgett. "Force development is a big deal to me. I think we owe it to every Airman in this command to show them the path [to developing their career]."

Part of the plan to develop the enlisted force is to require senior enlisted members to move forward with their careers and to allow other members to advance as well as ensuring that promotions are given to Airmen who deserve it instead of being based on favoritism, said Chief Badgett.

Chief Badgett also participated in an informal promotion ceremony, presenting Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Lis, 914th Maintenance Group aircraft mechanic and inspector, with his E-6 stripes.

The impact that the AFRC chief had on the Niagara Airmen he met during his visit with was clearly equal to the installation's impact on Chief Badgett himself.

"Chief Badgett stated that our energy, enthusiasm and family atmosphere makes Team Niagara an enviable environment," said Chief Scharlau. "Our wing has been aggressively working and thinking 'outside the box' to make the association a reality and have set the standard for future associations to follow."