33rd Fighter Wing commander outlines mission, vision, priorities Published Sept. 30, 2015 By Senior Airman Andrea Posey 33rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs 9/29/2015 – EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- -- The 33rd Fighter Wing commander held his first commander’s call at the Academic Training Center, on Eglin Air Force Base, Sept. 11, 2015. During his comments, Col. Lance Pilch discussed the 33rd FW mission, the Air Force’s vision for the F-35 program and his priorities for the wing’s Airmen. Pilch, who took command in June 2015, described how the F-35 fleet has grown and where it’s projected to be in the next several years. Currently the F-35 fleet is made up of more than 100 operational training aircraft and close to 20 development and test aircraft at multiple sites around the United States. Within the next five years the Air Force projects there will be close to 650 aircraft in the United States, Italy, France, Canada, Turkey, Australia, the United Kingdom and Norway. “What does that mean to you guys?” asked Pilch. “It means we have a huge responsibility and opportunity here. Anything you do is tremendously magnified [in the F-35 four-year plan].” The commander explained the importance of the progression of the F-35 program, emphasizing the strategic impact of fifth generation fighters in both current and future conflicts. The fighter jet fleet is as old as it’s ever been since the branch’s beginning, Pilch explained. This makes it necessary for aircraft to be updated to stay ahead of advances in enemy technology. The commander stressed that the service can’t get stuck in the Iraq and Afghanistan mindset of believing aircraft can fly anywhere uncontested. Other countries have built proficient surface-to-air missile systems capable of shooting down military assets. The fifth generation stealthy aircraft are built to bypass the “walls” these SAMs sites create. Pilch went on to share his priorities for each member of the wing and how they align with the 33rd FW’s role in accomplishing the service’s overall mission. The commander emphasized balance in Airmen’s personal and professional lives. By keeping both areas balanced, Pilch believes Airmen are able to focus more intently on daily task accomplishment, which in turn allows for greater overall mission success of the F-35 program. Professionalism is another important aspect of achieving maximal results in the workplace according to Pilch. The colonel encouraged the group to reference Air Force Instruction 1-1’s guidance on the impact of professionalism, which cites “The AF is a way of life. The mission must be accomplished even at great risk and personal sacrifice. You must live by rules and standards that are often more restrictive than those found in civilian life.” Pilch also shared his own take on professionalism to further describe this important subject, noting two elements. First, he encouraged Airmen to treat each other with dignity and respect. Secondly, he advised each Airman to consider if a mentor or someone the Airman respects would be proud if they were watching the Airman. Pilch also highlighted that his areas of efforts span across the Air Force Inspection System’s core areas, which include managing resources, leading people, improving the unit and expediting the mission. Senior Master Sgt. Joey Glover, 33rd FW staff senior enlisted advisor, an attendee of the commander’s call, found the commander’s use of the AFIS graded areas as a guide for keeping workload manageable helpful. “I think focusing the wing's lines of effort with the Air Force Inspection System’s major graded areas helps our Airmen better understand his expectations," said Glover. In closing, the commander spoke about significant changes to the AF throughout the last few years, stressing a need for continued growth of innovation in light of shrinking manpower and funding across the force. “The AF is relying on you,” said Pilch. “Everyone sitting here has never been more important. We’re counting on each and every one of you to drive innovation in this program.”