Q&A: Meet the new OG/CC Published July 10, 2013 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- In late May, Col. Brian Silkey became the 419th Operations Group commander. Public Affairs recently sat down with Silkey to discuss his priorities for the group. As the new OG/CC, what are your top three priorities? My goal is to keep the OG ready for worldwide combat taskings in support of combatant commanders' objectives and national security priorities. I'd like to get to know everyone in the group and wing and help them achieve organizational, professional, and personal goals. Finally, if Hill Air Force Base is selected as a basing location for the F-35, I'll seek to effectively transition to F-35 operations and achieve initial operational capability in minimum time. Why did you join the Air Force Reserve? The Reserve provided an opportunity to serve in the Air Force well past the 20-year point, while offering increased stability for both my family and myself professionally. What's the best professional advice you've ever been given? Take care of your people. This applies in every career field but is especially true in an Air Force Reserve organization where members typically don't have a service commitment and have options for employment elsewhere. I've seen too many outstanding reservists quit the unit due to poor leadership and not being taken care of. Which of your previous positions best prepared you to lead the OG? My position as squadron commander offered a lot of learning experiences and challenges, most of them related to personnel. How was the Total Force Integration construct at your previous assignments similar/different? This is my fourth assignment that has included Total Force Integration. All of them have been significantly different in the organizational structure and mindset of how to accomplish the mission. The one thing that remains consistent is that integration requires extensive communication and coordination, as well as understanding differences, strengths and weaknesses. Stay connected -- Join the 419th on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube