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Q&A: Meet the new wing commander

  • Published
  • By Kari Tilton
  • 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Last month, the 419th Fighter Wing welcomed a new commander, Col. Bryan Radliff. Public affairs recently sat down with Radliff to find out more about his priorities, leadership style, and goals for Utah's Air Force Reservists.

In your new role as the 419 FW/CC, what are your top priorities?

I really want to get to know those who make up the 419th FW. I hope to get out and meet as many people and shake as many hands as possible. Our people are my first priority. Next on my list is to set our goals for 2013 and a vision for the way ahead.

What are your impressions of the 419 FW since becoming commander?

The wing is made up of great people doing great work and has an outstanding reputation throughout the command.

What's your personal leadership style?

I prefer to provide direction and get out of the way. As I leader, I believe it's my job to empower individuals, allow them to perform, and hold them accountable for the results whether the results are positive or negative. I would much rather have Airmen out their trying their best and failing, then never trying at all.

I recently read the book Winning by Jack Welch (former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for General Electric). I especially appreciate the author's viewpoint on how before becoming a leader a person's focus is to develop oneself, but once becoming a leader the priority must shift to developing others. Mentoring and feedback are very important to me.

Which of your previous positions best prepared you to lead the 419 FW?

I served on active duty for 10 years, joined the Guard in 2000 and the Reserve in 2003. Having served in all three components, I've seen the Total Force Enterprise grow from its infancy.

My position as commander of the 477 Fighter Group offered the first opportunity for me to serve above the small unit level and was a great introduction to mission support functions and Expeditionary Combat Support elements. But I believe my staff job at the Pentagon has best prepared me. It provided a different perspective beyond daily sortie production. It opened up my mind to the bigger picture, the overall mission of the Air Force, and that of the joint warfighter.

How was the TFE construct at your previous assignment with the 477 FG similar/different?

It was actually both similar and different. It, too, is associated under the classic associate model (where an active duty unit holds principal responsibility for weapons systems, which it shares with a Reserve unit). We had similar operations and maintenance structures along with non-associated units such as civil engineering, security forces, and a medical squadron that supported ECS taskings.

It was different in that it was a newly formed association in support of a new airframe (the F-22). Our biggest challenge was establishing a Reserve identity in a newly-joined construct alongside the active duty. Here at Hill, the 419th has a long and proud history.

Why did you join the AF Reserve?

I liked the career opportunities that both the Guard and Reserve had to offer. I had many choices as to where I could serve, as well as the opportunity to live locally and serve globally. The Air Force Reserve offered the greatest opportunity to serve in many different capacities.

If you could talk face to face with every 419 FW Airman, what would you say?

First, I'd encourage our people to stop me and say hi when they see me around. I'd then ask them to tell me about themselves and what additional resources they may need to accomplish the mission.

I'd also like each of our Airmen to know that leadership isn't the sole responsibility of the guy in the headquarters building. Everyone is a leader, either formally or informally. I'd ask our Airmen to take responsibility for being good wingmen and to honor and respect each other - to always hold themselves and each other to the highest standards.