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March ARB, Calif. - The 163d Attack Wing leadership is well on its way to implementing an A-Staff to bolster commanders’ decision-making capabilities, enhance command and control of wing operations, and integrate as a total-force partner.
The Wing’s leadership appointed its first Chief of Staff, former Mission Support Group Commander, Colonel Sotera Anderson, to spearhead the newly formed staff.
“I am super excited about the opportunity to help the wing transition into this new structure. The United States is facing a different kind of adversary requiring a shift in how we are organized, present forces, and do business. The A-Staff is just one of the many changes. The A-Staff is designed to be a deliberate and crisis planning capability that streamlines command and control and helps commander’s make decisions that affect our forces,” Col. Anderson said. “My goal is to put the right people in the right positions and be intentional about the training and development of the airmen on the A-Staff. The tasks we are asking them to do directly impact readiness and commander decision-making when it matters most.”
The A-Staff is comprised of five functional directorates and totaling approximately 25 Airmen. The A-Staff Directorates include A1 (Manpower, Personnel and Services), A2 (Intel), A3/5 (Ops / Plans), A4 (Logistics, Engineering, and Maintenance), and A6 (Communications).
While the creation of the A-Staff within the wings will not create more positions, it will re-align some staff functions, like the Command Post. Similar organization constructs are found in other service branches, Air Force higher headquarters, Air Expeditionary Wings, and Joint and Coalition partners.
The Airmen selected for A-Staff positions have specialized knowledge and skills. Their current leadership will nominate the best and brightest for a three-year force development tour. These tours will act as a tool to prepare them for future career-enhancement opportunities.
“What an awesome opportunity for our Airmen to serve on the A-staff. They are going to gain so much knowledge and special experience that will benefit them as they move up in their careers. I’m excited for them from a strategic and leadership perspective,” said Col. Anderson.
In totality, the A-Staff is not new to the Air Force but it is new to Air National Guard wings across the nation. Leaders outside the A-Staff will be empowered to focus on mission accomplishment, readiness and training. The expected completion date to fill the 163d A-Staff roster is February 2025.
| Date Taken: | 01.11.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 01.14.2025 19:12 |
| Story ID: | 488952 |
| Location: | MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 11 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 163d Attack Wing Announces A-Staff Transition, by Maj. Eve Derfelt, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
