LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Chad Bickley, command chief for Air Education and Training Command, was welcomed by Team XL during an immersion visit Jan. 22, 2024.
This was his first visit to the 47th Flying Training Wing since becoming the AETC command chief.
Bickley’s multiple tours throughout the day included the 47th Security Forces Squadron, air traffic control tower, 47th Medical Group and 47th Student Squadron, visiting each to gain first-hand experience on the mission of producing combat-ready Airmen, leaders and pilots.
“A trip like this one affords me the opportunity to take a closer look at how Team XL members work and live here, and I like what I’m seeing,” Bickley said. “The warrior mentality and the teamwork is obvious at every turn. It’s exciting to learn more about the team’s innovative solutions and ideas to make sure they produce combat-ready Airmen.”
His quality of life tour included housing, dormitories, Club XL and the enlisted community space Hangar 47.
Members of Team XL took these opportunities to showcase the groundbreaking measures taken across the installation for base security, daily pilot operations, and improvements made to Airmen and family resources.
Bickley’s goal of understanding the challenges encountered by Laughlin’s Airmen allowed him to explore the various innovative problem-solving methods that consistently contribute to success throughout the wing.
During an all-call later that day, Bickley gave a presentation labeled, “Change of Mindset.” The briefing focused on warfighting and the combat mindset needed to tackle the challenges our Air Force would face in future near-peer conflicts and the leadership skills needed to win.