AETC commander, command chief visit Goodfellow Airmen

U.S Air Force Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, Air Education and Training Command commander, visits with 17th Training Wing senior leaders at the Event Center on Goodfellow Air Force Base, Aug. 22, 2017. Roberson’s message to Airmen was to speak up with new ideas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randall Moose/Released)

U.S Air Force Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, Air Education and Training Command commander, visits with 17th Training Wing senior leaders at the Event Center on Goodfellow Air Force Base, Aug. 22, 2017. Roberson’s message to Airmen was to speak up with new ideas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randall Moose/Released)

U.S Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Juliet Gudgel, Air Education and Training Command command chief, speaks with 17th Training Wing senior leaders at the Event Center on Goodfellow Air Force Base, Aug. 22, 2017. He also introduced iMatter, a program featured on AETC’s website. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randall Moose/Released)

U.S Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Juliet Gudgel, Air Education and Training Command command chief, speaks with 17th Training Wing senior leaders at the Event Center on Goodfellow Air Force Base, Aug. 22, 2017. He also introduced iMatter, a program featured on AETC’s website. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randall Moose/Released)

U.S Air Force Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, Air Education and Training Command commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Juliet Gudgel, AETC command chief, answer questions for 17th Training Wing senior leaders at the Event Center on Goodfellow Air Force Base, Aug. 22, 2017. Roberson’s message to Airmen was to speak up with new ideas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randall Moose/Released)

U.S Air Force Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, Air Education and Training Command commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Juliet Gudgel, AETC command chief, answer questions for 17th Training Wing senior leaders at the Event Center on Goodfellow Air Force Base, Aug. 22, 2017. Roberson’s message to Airmen was to speak up with new ideas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Randall Moose/Released)

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, Air Education and Training Command commander, visited with Goodfellow senior leaders at the Event Center Aug. 22.

Roberson’s message to Airmen was to speak up with new ideas.

“As an Air Force leader, I want to talk to you about being a stronger leader, about taking more risk and about getting us to where we need to be,” said Roberson. “We want you to take more risks.”

He also introduced iMatter, a program featured on AETC’s website. IMatter gives all AETC Airmen access to a tool for sharing innovative ideas and improvements.

“Any iMatter suggestion that is submitted, I see,” said Roberson. “We are taking these ideas and making actual changes in AETC, so take advantage of this and pass it on.”

Airmen can post their suggestions for improving processes and procedures, as well as ideas on how to improve the command on iMatter.

“During the planning of the Normandy invasion, an important question was asked,” said Chief Master Sgt. Juliet Gudgel, AETC command chief. “With thousands of aircraft in the sky, how will we tell friend from foe?”

The answer was invasion stripes. On June 4, 1944, two days before D-Day, Allied Expeditionary Air Force and supporting units were painted with alternating black and white stripes on their wings and fuselage.

“This is the kind of out-of-the box thinking that has helped the Air Force throughout its history,” said Gudgel. “We are asking you to talk to your Airmen and get their ideas.”

“We need you to be strategic thinkers,” said Roberson. “I’m absolutely confident that every one of you has a good idea on how to improve our situation.”

To start using iMatter, Airmen can visit the site at: http://www.aetc.af.mil/About-Us/Innovation/.