10th Air Base Wing commander to Airmen: remember your PBJ

  • Published
  • By Col. Rick J. LoCastro
  • 10th Air Base Wing commander
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  A peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Simple -- but sustaining. A recognizable necessity -- everyone knows what it is and can relate to it. Basic -- all the ingredients are in the cupboard. When asked what my vision and focus are as I took command of the 10th Air Base Wing -- the answer is "PBJ." At my recent first 10th Air Base Wing Commander's Call, I outlined this focus and it's a simple thought to remember: PBJ. PEOPLE.
BASE. JOB. 

PEOPLE: Mentoring, Motivating, and Inspiring. Taking care of those we serve and also those with whom we serve. Our "customers" ... but also our fellow co-workers, families, and retirees. ALL who serve or are served on our Air Force Base. A concentration on professional and respectful service to others, quality of life, and recognition of effort and performance. "Recruiting" first-round draft pick superstars instead of just "hiring" personnel. Preparing our Airmen for deployment and taking care of their families while they are gone. Ensuring first-class efficient service to our Academy cadets while we also focus on building leaders of character in the 10th Air Base Wing. Enjoying what we do as well. Just because our jobs are tough--doesn't mean they can't be fun! 

BASE: Our strategic processes, base appearance, and the way we do business. A cohesive and integrated team focused on the entire installation to make it better, and leading with quality and efficient programs for those we serve. Lots of untapped potential on our base to lead at all levels. Benchmarked services, awardwinning energy conservation, and a Fix USAFA plan we can all be proud of ... all while delivering first-class service to our entire USAFA Family. 

JOB: Tactical processes each individual is responsible for. Making sure we are doing things better, faster, cheaper and smarter if at all possible. Always professionally, and with a passion for service across the board ... and recognizing those who are doing so. "Leading" exceptional programs and processes -- not just being caretakers of them. Thinking BIG and looking at all angles and asking, "If I were the person receiving this service ... how would I want it?" What we do is what makes us great -- but HOW we do it is what makes us truly phenomenal. Very tough and challenging to do all of these things with less money, fewer people, and more requirements and need ... but our diverse base counts on our air base wing to figure out how, and to do it every day. To return to the Air Force Academy where my career all started and in what I consider the best job on the base has been amazing. Definitely an honor, privilege, and great responsibility. The United States Air Force Academy is not just an amazing academic institution, but also a fully functioning Air Force Base ... and it's our air base wing who takes pride in running the daily operations of the Air Force's premier installation. Definitely some uniqueness compared to other locations, but that is what makes us even more special. Lots of Air Force bases--but only one Air Force Academy. Our 10th Air Base Wing is passionate and proud about what we do and how we do it ... and there's no team I'd rather be a part of. 

PBJ and the 10th Air Base Wing. PEOPLE. BASE. JOB. Simple ingredients we sometimes overlook ... but a lifesaver in a pinch and together form an amazing recipe all can appreciate. PBJ -- most look the same ... but when you combine exceptional ingredients -- you immediately know. It's nothing like the rest ... and you can see and taste the difference.