Nomads embark in a new strategic direction Published Nov. 10, 2016 By Staff Sgt. Peter Thompson 33rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FL -- Colonel Lance Pilch, 33rd Fighter Wing commander, released the wing’s 2016 Strategic Direction and new vision October 20, 2016. The wing recently achieved its vision of advancing the F-35 to initial operations capability and beyond at Exercise Northern Lightning in August 2016. The wing’s new vision is to build the world’s best communities: F-35, Air Battle Manager, and Intelligence. This compliments the wing’s mission of training outstanding professionals in each of those fields. “The 33rd Fighter Wing is comprised of many of our Air Force’s best and brightest men and women,” Pilch said. “We are a gateway to the Air Force, so it’s important to know how we fit into the bigger picture.” To outline how he sees the wing achieving the new vision, Col Pilch released the 2016 Strategic Direction. His direction begins by tying the role of the 33rd Fighter Wing into the strategic plan and expectations of the Air Education and Training Command and the 19th Air Force. Pilch addressed the three areas the wing achieves its mission of training and graduating outstanding professionals; creating Air Battle Managers, Intelligence professionals and F-35 pilots. By being directly responsible for the growth of these professionals, the wing is also responsible for building the world’s best F-35, Air Battle Management and Intel communities – in line with the Wing’s Vision. “Every day our goal should be achieving our wing mission to train and graduate outstanding professionals, and do so by using our vision,” Pilch said. “There are four main factors that I believe are facets of a successful organization and will be key to the fruition of our daily operations.” Mission execution -- Work hard every day to get the mission done. It’s our duty. Professionalism -- Everyone is a leader. Treat everyone with dignity and respect, there is no tolerance for lapses. Inclusiveness -- Everyone in this wing is part of the team. I want your ideas; innovation must come from all levels of this organization. Balance – Balance your workload and your people’s workload with time for self-improvement and care for families. Look for ways to stop doing things that don’t add value. Pilch noted that he has instilled trust in group commanders to delineate short, medium and long term goals, which will keep the organization on track for accomplishing the wing mission and vision. That same form of trust is extended to all Airmen through his personal leadership style. “I trust you,” Pilch said. “Don’t wait for me to tell you what to do. Be proactive and be the best in the world at your job.”