Incirlik Air Base receives health and welfare checkup

  • Published
  • By By 1st Lt. David Liapis
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Incirlik Air Base joined the rest of the Air Force in conducting health and welfare inspections to emphasize an environment of respect, trust and professionalism in the workplace.

The health and welfare inspections, which began Dec. 5, are a tool routinely used by unit commanders, command chiefs and first sergeants.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III tasked commanders during the Nov. 28 Wing Commanders Call to examine their work settings and ensure Airmen at all levels consistently apply standards of professionalism and respect across the service.

"Over the past months, I've discussed with our commanders, leaders and supervisors about the importance of pride and performance," said Welsh. "When Airmen work in a setting that is consistent with our core values of integrity, service and excellence, they perform with honor and distinction - they deserve nothing less. Anything short detracts from that pride and cripples mission effectiveness."

The inspection was intended to reinforce expectations for the workplace environment, correct deficiencies, and deter conditions that may be detrimental to good order and discipline.

"This is about commanders being commanders," Welsh said. "The underlying principle for the inspection is our core values, and the bottom line is that it's the right thing to do."

39th Air Base Wing leadership teams visited units all around base, surveying the climate and watching for signs of an unprofessional environment.

"We can improve the quality of our work lives by maintaining work centers that are free of any form of harassment, and that takes a team effort," said Col. Chris Craige, 39th ABW commander. "We have been doing, and will continue to do our part to cultivate a climate of respect and professionalism."

Craige continued, "To be clear, this was about ensuring we're in compliance with what's already in place. It's about taking care of each other and respecting yourself and others around you."