WOAF Column
- Building a wingman culture
W/O Keith Gell
By W/O Keith Gell, Warrant Officer Air Force
I am picking up comments from our more senior folk in our Air Force that our younger people don’t seem to be looking after each other as they did in their day. Whether this is a true or false statement, these observations should not be taken lightly and are good reminders to ourselves that we should take a second look and check it out—especially in our own networks of friends and workmates.
Looking after your mates is something that is fundamental to our military ethos as an Air Force. The word ‘wingman’ springs to mind and is something that is being pushed at Ground Training Wing, especially by the Command Warrant Officer. His thoughts are not new to us older folk; however it is something that we need to expose and promote to our younger generation.
As we know, a wingman—in the flying terms—is someone who is another set of eyes when you are flying as a formation. For me, it is someone who looks out for you when you go out as a group, and someone who steps in when you have gone astray, or are about to go astray.
Some people do it very well. Just recently I observed some Senior Non-Commissioned Officers at a social event in Hawke’s Bay. Within this group they had an excellent system of looking after each other.
Within any social environment, ‘things’ can occur, and in this instance something did. However, it was the actions of the ‘wingman’ that ensured we got our man safely home. The individual concerned was invited to another social event, and in true wingman fashion, he also attended. The upshot was, both men returned to base safely.
But I must stress that it is more than being there at the end, it is also about intervening at the right time when you sense something is about to occur. Situations like this are about doing the right thing, not the easy thing. This is where your leadership is required because doing the easy thing is to do nothing, in my world.
Having a wingman culture throughout our Air Force is fundamental to who we are as a fighting force. It is part of our culture and is important for our ethos. We are one big family that not only looks after our country, but looks after its own. This requires leadership at all levels and is in everyone’s job description as Officers, Airwomen and Airmen.
Have a look around you, when you get the time, and ask the question; have you got a wingman culture within your circle of friends and workmates? If not, do something about it. If you have, well done!