AETC concludes 2007 Symposium highlighting mission, impact, initiatives Published Sept. 12, 2007 By Capt. Tony Wickman Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Fifty Team Vance members returned from San Antonio Saturday after attending Air Education and Training Command's 2007 Symposium that featured two days of seminars, lectures and guest speakers, and concluded with an Air Force 60th Anniversary ball. Gen. William R. Looney III, AETC commander, kicked the event off Thursday by treating a crowd of more than 2,000 to a look at "The First Command's" mission, initiatives, and impact on the Air Force. While highlighting the three main branches of the command's mission -- recruiting, training, and educating Airmen -- the general was quick to point out AETC's contributions to the Global War on Terror. "We're in the fight," General Looney said. "Last year, we deployed more than 3,500 individuals to the AORs -- about 1,450 are currently deployed. We have 113 people on 365-day rotations, and 20 percent are in non-traditional Army taskings in-lieu-of." In addition to the direct role of supplying warrior Airmen to the fight, the general pointed to the very real impact of training on Airmen's success in theater. "The vast majority of Airmen we train are going to be somewhere in harm's way within the next year or two," General Looney said. "It is up to us to impart to them the talent and skill they need to accomplish their mission in a world-class fashion and at the same time make sure we get them back safely to the families that love them." For Lt. Col. Billye Hutchison, 71st Medical Operations Squadron commander, the symposium was a welcome change from traditional medical conferences and a great opportunity to network with fellow Airmen from Vance and across the Air Force. "It was nice getting out of the usual medical conference role. It was a great opportunity to get to know non-medical folks from Vance and learn more about what their responsibilities entail, and hear information on issues facing the Air Force and discussions on the exciting changes and tools projected for the future," she said. Airman First Class Damon Beasley, 71st Security Forces Squadron patrolman, said the symposium was a great forum for new Airmen to learn about their service and to celebrate the Air Force's 60th birthday. "Being a first-term Airman it was good to see what is going on in the Air Force and what changes are in the future," said Airman Beasley. "For someone relatively new to the Air Force, this was a good way to meet people and be a part of a significant milestone in our Air Force history. I can say years from now that I was a part of the symposium." Airman Beasley, who has two and a half years of service, said he received valuable information from the seminars held throughout the symposium. "I enjoyed the chiefs' panel. I liked hearing the chiefs' thoughts and opinions on issues when we asked them tough questions," he said. "Overall this was a very positive experience. My long-term goal is to become a chief and hopefully 15 to 20 years from now I can sit on the chiefs' panel at the symposium and give thoughts and ideas to new Airmen." The lectures were also helpful to Lieutenant Colonel Hutchison. "Most of them had at least a small amount of information that was very informative and beneficial. The lectures on the second day were intriguing and thought provoking with discussion of AOR challenges, the future paths of education and a better understanding of how the pieces all fit together," she said. The symposium featured four tracks of instruction: Expeditionary warfighter, deciphering culture, the long war and accelerating change. The main floor of the convention center was packed with booths from different organizations. There were also lectures for all four tracks of instruction and luncheons on both days. The event ended with the Air Force 60th Anniversary ball, which featured Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne as the keynote speaker. For Senior Master Sgt. Nolen Moore, 71st Mission Support Squadron superintendent with 22 years of service, the symposium was a great event that highlighted AETC and the Air Force. "I thought the symposium was well done. The seminar subjects were beneficial to everyone and the subject matter experts were very informative and really engaged their audiences," he said. "AETC couldn't have done a better job of recognizing and celebrating the Air Force's 60th birthday." (some information courtesy of Air Education & Training Command)