18th Wing leaders focus on mission, vision, strategy

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KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The senior leadership team of the 18th Wing took a hard look Monday and Tuesday at Kadena's strategic goals and priorities in an effort to better align them with those of Pacific Air Forces. 

Wing leaders were participating PACAF's Strategic Alignment and Deployment process, which is designed to help organizations better articulate their strategic direction and ensure resources are committed to support that direction.

With the help of some PACAF experts, senior commanders examined the 18th Wing's critical strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and targets -- also known as a SWOT analysis. They also worked to clarify the Wing's mission and vision and discussed the strategy for achieving them.

By the end of the second day of training, each Group commander better understood their unit's role in supporting the Wing's goals and priorities and the necessity to conduct similar sessions at the squadron and unit levels.

According to the 18th Wing Commander, Brig. Gen. Brett Williams, the work that was done goes beyond simply rewriting a mission statement or putting new goals on a piece of paper.

"When the Strategic Alignment and Deployment process is completed at each echelon within the wing, every Airmen and civilian will better understand how they directly contribute to the mission," said the general. "This ultimately supports the PACAF and Air Force missions."

As the process continues over the next few months, members of the 18th Wing can expect to see revised wing mission and vision statements. They will have the opportunity, through their own SA&D discussions, to provide input on how their individual units support the Wing's goals and priorities.