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U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Khadarryl Johnson, 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron section commander, right, discusses leadership strategies with U.S. Air Force Capt. Anthony Pipe, 314th Fighter Squadron flight commander, during a flight leadership course at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, Oct. 6, 2022. In this course, flight leaders learned how to properly identify and solve problems in order to effectively lead Airmen to success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Corinna Diaz)

A panel of chief master sergeants speak to a class during a flight leadership course at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, Oct. 7, 2022. Senior noncommissioned officers offered perspectives on how to address complex problems as flight-level leaders in order to communicate with Airmen within their units. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Corinna Diaz)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Ledra Thomas, 54th Operations Support Squadron aircraft flight equipment manager, speaks to a class during a flight leadership course at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, Oct. 6, 2022. The flight leadership course offered different leadership perspectives in order to improve communication and leadership capabilities within the flights across base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Corinna Diaz)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Taylor Warren, 49th Component Maintenance Squadron quality manager, left, completes a team-building activity with U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Gabriel Sanchez, 49th Communications Squadron officer in charge, during a flight leadership course at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, Oct. 6, 2022. The flight leadership course built teamwork between future flight chiefs and flight commanders to effectively lead Airmen within their units. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Corinna Diaz)

Holloman Air Force Base hosted its second 49er Leadership Course at the Professional Development Center on October 6th and 7th.

This course is designed for flight-level leadership to learn skills and responsibilities that they can use as they take on designated leadership positions in their respective career fields.

Senior noncommissioned officers and company grade officers participated in a variety of activities and briefings to learn how to bolster the communication between flight leadership and Airmen within the 49th Wing.

“Our hope is that this class gives leaders the answers to questions they may have about how to effectively lead their Airmen to success,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Jose Sanchez, 49th Component Maintenance Squadron flight chief. “What we need to focus on the most is building communication.”

For flight chiefs and flight commanders, this course teaches different styles of leadership through team building activities, a chiefs’ panel, a conflict resolution course and more.

“I took this class because I wanted to hear different perspectives on how to lead Airmen,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Anthony Pipe, 314th Fighter Squadron flight commander. “My favorite part was hearing from senior noncommissioned officers in the chiefs’ panel about what their expectations are for me as a flight commander.”

The course allows flight leaders to learn how to facilitate the development of Airmen on a personal level as well as from a career perspective.

“Communication involves caring for Airmen, but it also involves learning how to develop Airmen,” said Sanchez.

Flight commanders and their flight chiefs attend the course in tandem to enhance their ability to work together as a leadership team and attack challenges in their flights. The attention and thought put into the class exemplified the dedication, even at the lowest level, of the Fightin’ 49ers to lead and develop world class Airmen.