Senior NCOs set for weekend of learning Published Feb. 6, 2015 By Sandra Pishner 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- The Senior NCO Leadership Development Course is Feb. 7-8 with 20 Airmen from the 446th Airlift Wing planning to attend. Along with five Reservists from other units, the senior NCOs will gather in a classroom in the 446th Civil Engineer Squadron for the two-day course lead by two chief master sergeants from other Air Force Reserve Command units. "The course is two intensive days of college-level instruction incorporating leadership, management, military heritage, communication, counseling, and more," said Master Sgt. Anthony Gallela, 446th Aerospace Medicine Squadron education and training manager. The class will be facilitated by Chief Master Sgt. Amy Rae Contreras, 452nd Operations Group, March Air Reserve Base, California, and Chief Master Sgt. Calvin Little, 512th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. Local coordination includes sponsorships by the wing's Chiefs Group and the First Sergeants Group. The class was put together locally by Tech. Sgts. Troy Leiker and Melissa Smolka, with help from Senior Master Sgt. John Besselman, and Gallela. "I expect attendees to come away with tools necessary to challenge traditional paradigms," said 446th AW Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Tony Mack. "They'll use these tools to reach out and recognize their strengths and the incredible talents of those they mentor." There are many possibilities open to enlisted Airmen, according to Mack; key billets, joint positions, first sergeant, command chief, career assistance advisor, and other tours that are more accessible to top notch SNCOs than ever before. "My goal for (attendees to this course) is to understand that the key to their success is through strengthening their Airmen and NCOs. If someone taking this course is trying to better themselves, but is not necessarily interested in a key billet, special duty, or position outside the 446 AW, I still charge them to learn, understand, and mentor others for opportunities and success," said Mack. It's the goal of big Air Force to promote and encourage innovation from all ranks -- especially innovation that looks at and thinks of the big picture of the Air Force, according to Gallela. "This course builds Senior NCO skills in leading and influencing Airmen to innovate and excel, keeping the operational level of the Air Force in mind. The result of such leadership is good for everyone involved -- the mentored, then mentees, and the Air Force," said Gallela.