CMSAF Cody visits with 148th Airmen

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Ralph Kapustka
  • 148th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. --  Seven Airmen from the 148th Fighter Wing, Duluth, Minn. were given the opportunity to visit with the Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody on Nov. 1, 2014.  Chief Cody was in Minnesota to visit the 934th Airlift Wing, Minneapolis, Minn. during their drill weekend and held an Airmen's Call which members of the 148FW attended.

During the Airmen's Call, Chief Cody stressed the importance of all components of the Air Force to include the Guard and Reserve, discussed downsizing the force and what that might mean to future missions and thanked everyone for the contributions they make to the Air Force.

"I thought that the Chief's town-hall meeting format was great.  He opened the floor to questions right off the bat and really put himself out there for the ranks to ask questions, said Master Sgt. Nick Downs, 148th Fighter Wing.  The atmosphere and his demeanor made it comfortable for any Airman to ask questions."

"It was good to hear that the Guard and the Active component are becoming more of one unit, said Senior Airmen Kelly Jones, 148th Fighter Wing.  That we are not looked at as "weekend warriors" but more of a working component along-side the active force."

Chief Master Sgt. Paul Poppenberg, 148th Fighter Wing had a few take-aways from Cody's Airmen's Call but one that stood out was when Cody was talking about the Honor Flights.  The Honor Flight program gives our older veterans the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to visit the Veterans Memorial.  Some of these veterans are in their 90's and most in wheel chairs, with canes or using walkers.  While in Washington D.C., Cody has the opportunity to talk with a lot of the veterans about their life experiences.  When asked what the most important life experience was almost every veteran said "the short time they spent in the military."  Most of them would have served longer, worked harder and tried to make more of a difference.  "I thought this was pretty interesting that after 90 years of age the most important thing they have ever done in their eyes was to serve in the military," said Poppenberg.

Chief Cody is the 17th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force and took over the position in January 2013.