AETC Senior Leadership Conference

Air Education and Training Command senior leaders pose for a group picture during the week-long AETC Senior Leadership Conference March 3, 2016, at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. The conference allowed AETC commanders an opportunity to meet and address issues across the command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Donna Burnett)

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AETC Senior Leadership Conference

Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, commander of Air Education and Training Command (left), and Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast, Air University commander (right), attend a briefing at the Hyundai Motors Manufacturing Alabama Plant, March 2, 2016, in Montgomery, Alabama. The leaders toured the manufacturing facility and conducted a leadership panel discussion with various Hyundai department directors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Melanie Rodgers Cox)

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Maxwell hosts AETC Senior Leadership Conference

Published March 9, 2016
By By Airman 1st Class Alexa Culbert
42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Air Education and Training Command held its biannual Senior Leadership Conference Feb. 29 - March 4 here.

The conference brings commanders and enlisted leaders together to discuss major issues affecting the command, share ideas and promote camaraderie. Innovation was the theme of the conference, and Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, AETC commander and conference host, said that innovation is crucial to the future of the Air Force.

"Innovation is always important, especially in the U.S. Air Force," Roberson said. "Since our beginning, innovation has been a key piece of why we have remained the best Air Force in the world. Innovation is even more important in today's environment, as we deal with sequestration and budget constraints. We have to figure out better ways to do everything we do in order to keep modernizing our Air Force." During the conference, every AETC base presented cases where innovation enhanced mission success.

Roberson said that the history, heritage and the leaders' push for innovation at Air University, made Maxwell the perfect choice for the conference location.

Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast, Air University commander, has made a big push toward encouraging innovative thinking on all levels in AU since his assumption of command Nov. 10, 2014. During the conference Kwast spoke about the importance of staying ahead of the competition, when it comes to innovation, in order to be able to protect America.

"This week is about innovation, because innovation is the heart of being relevant and adaptive, being able to change faster than your enemy, so your enemy can't keep up with you," said Kwast.

Hosting conferences and educational courses is nothing new for Maxwell; however, Col. Andrea Tullos, 42nd Air Base Wing commander, is excited that the base was able to host a conference that brought together Roberson, his staff and leaders from across AETC wings.

"It really just makes me proud that we finally get them all here on our home turf and it's like family. It's like having Thanksgiving at your house; you know everyone, and now we finally get to break bread with all the other commanders," said Tullos.

During the week, AETC leadersengaged in an array of briefings and working lunches, as well as social gatherings at the Montgomery Biscuit Stadium, the Hyundai Montgomery Plant and a Riverboat Cruise along the Alabama River.

Tullos explained that the agenda was structured to not only allow attendees to hear and learn from the briefings, but to allow an opportunity for attendees to learn from each other.