Better together, stronger together: AFCENT hosts 1st Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference at Shaw Air Force Base

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For the first time ever, U.S. Air Forces Central Command hosted the most senior enlisted Air Force leaders from 10 allied countries at a conference at its headquarters at Shaw Air Force Base.

They participated in a Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference hosted by Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Drinkard, AFCENT command chief, Jan. 6-9 at the Sumter base.

Throughout the four days, conference members described the enlisted force structure of each country's Air Force through international Air Force briefings, toured Shaw Air Force Base and discussed how to strengthen the noncommissioned officers in their respective service.

Drinkard said this was the first time AFCENT brought together coalition and partner nation air component senior enlisted leaders from across the U.S. Central Command theater of operations.

"It was an opportunity to build relationships and professional networks in order to exchange experiences and opportunities to enhance the performance of our enlisted forces," said Chief Warrant Officer Saif Aldammin of the Royal Jordanian Air Force.

The senior enlisted leaders who attended the conference hail from Australia, Canada, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

"[The goal of the SELC was] to collaborate and strengthen relationships among senior enlisted leaders who are responsible for advising regional air chiefs and integrating regional air power," Drinkard said. "Senior enlisted leaders are fundamental to air power interoperability and integration as we collectively strive to achieve enduring stability and deterrence within the region."

Aldammin said the importance of the conference is to enhance the noncommissioned officers' leadership roles, especially for areas where there are many coalitions and partnerships for peace and stability for the region.

"By partnering with Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs, we were able to bring together the chief master sergeant of the Air Force's equivalents from 10 nations," Drinkard said. "We came together and shared strategies related to human capital management, recruitment, training and readiness. One thing is certain: We all fully understand the fundamental competitive advantage we have over our common adversaries is a professional and empowered noncommissioned officer corps."

Aldammin said the main thing he took away from the conference was more networks and relationships, which he considers the most important asset he can have. However, learning from and about other participant nations is also important in the matter of extending and building relationships.

"Under the common threats we are facing, the joint work and collaboration is the best way to defeat any potential enemy with costs and highest performance," Aldammin said. "We are better together; we are stronger together."