Local Air Force Leadership Summit at JBSA-Lackland Focuses on Navigating Organizational Change

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The Sixteenth Air Force held its 2024 Senior Leader Summit at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, from April 30 to May 1. The theme of the summit was 'Connected, Resilient, Empowered.' This theme aimed to address the upcoming changes within the Department of the Air Force. Lt. Gen. Kevin Kennedy, commander of the 16th Air Force (Air Forces Cyber), discussed the future structure of the cyber and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) enterprise. He stressed the need for clear vision and consistent communication to help leaders manage the transition.

During the event, retired Gen. David Goldfein, former Air Force Chief of Staff, emphasized the importance of communication in change management. He suggested that explaining the reasons for reorganization to Airmen in small groups could help them understand and adjust to new roles and responsibilities. This is crucial for maintaining effectiveness in the face of great power competition.

Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a resiliency expert from Brigham Young University, shared her thoughts on the psychological and social challenges of organizational change. She highlighted how certain policies might affect social connections and discussed the impact of reduced face-to-face interactions on mission success, especially with the increase in virtual communications.

The summit also covered the issue of adversaries using social media to mislead and confuse Airmen. Lt. Col. Melissa McLain from the Air Force Academy Institute for Future Conflicts and five cadets presented on the need to educate service members about cognitive security threats on social media. They explained how adversaries manipulate narratives to influence Airmen's decisions.