CC Connection, Town Hall offer open communication avenues
By Brig. Gen. Craig Franklin, 31st Fighter Wing commander
/ Published May 20, 2008
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- One of the greatest challenges we can have in a large and busy wing is communicating problems, concerns and good ideas. The Aviano Town Hall Meeting is one way we can communicate better. We had our first one in February with good results. The next one is scheduled for Thursday, May 29, from 6-8 p.m. at the base theater.
This is an opportunity for me to update you on issues that affect base personnel/families and then I'll field questions from the audience or the radio audience listening at home. I hope to see you there!
Another way we can communicate is through Commander's Connection, Aviano's new online communication tool. Through Commander's Connection, Aviano service members, family members, and civilian and Italian employees can ask me and my senior staff questions and share thoughts, concerns, or good ideas. You will receive a response within two weeks.
Commander's Connection is simple to use. From the base Web site, click on the "Commander's Connection" link on the right-hand side. You can also e-mail your questions to commanders.connection@aviano.af.mil or hand-deliver them to the 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs office. Here are my guidelines on using the Commander's Connection;
1) Your concerns/ideas should first be addressed in your chain of command. Following the chain of command allows a problem or a good idea to be recognized and hopefully handled within a respective unit--this keeps your First Sergeant and Squadron Commander in the know.
2) You may not like the answer you get back from me and I may direct a wing staff agency, a group commander, or a squadron commander to answer your question. I may also direct you to seek further help from a specific base agency so you can provide more details to the experts.
3) Please also use Commander's Connection to share a "thanks." If there is someone out there who really helped you and provided you first class service, please let me know!
In summary, if you have a question, concern, or a good idea, use your chain of command first. The Aviano Town Hall Meeting and the on-line Commander's Connection are additional communication tools.