OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- After transitioning Joint Base Balad to the Iraqi government in the closing months of 2011 as the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, Brig. Gen. Kurt F. Neubauer is now settling in to his assignment as the new 7th Air Force vice commander. Recently, the general sat down with the Crimson Sky staff to communicate with Airmen throughout the peninsula, and express his top priorities as second-in-command.

Brig. Gen. Kurt F. Neubauer is the Vice Commander, 7th Air Force, Air Forces Korea, and Chief of Staff, Air Component Command, Osan Air Base, South Korea. The 7th Air Force mission is to organize, train, and equip air forces supporting the Air Component Command assigned to the Combined Forces Command; and perform missions that support United Nations Command armistice maintenance.

Crimson Sky: What is your first message to the Airmen of 7th AF?

Brig. Gen. Neubauer: My first message is simple - Believe in your mission, trust in your brothers and sisters, make peace with your maker and fight with a happy heart.

Crimson Sky: What will you expect from the warriors here in Korea?

Brig. Gen. Neubauer: Do your duty. Our purpose - defense of the peninsula - is very well defined. We know who the enemy is, where they are, and what the stakes are. So be ready - body, mind and spirit.

Seize the day. This is a great assignment - we enjoy an excellent fitness center, great clubs, a huge exchange, and superb chapel programs. There are opportunities off base as well - touring the countryside, meeting the Korean people, culture tours, etc.

The catch is striking a balance between complacency and crisis. It's easy to get complacent because we have it pretty easy here. So my advice is to seize every opportunity the assignment offers, but don't forget why we're here.

Crimson Sky: What is the Vice Commander vision/perspective you bring with you for the 7th AF?

Brig. Gen. Neubauer: My vision is to be the best second I can for Lt. Gen. Jouas. I'll do my best to anticipate his needs, those of his subordinate commanders, and create opportunities for our Airmen to succeed. As our Airmen get the job done, they'll enable the commander to lead us all with clarity.

Crimson Sky: What are your top priorities during this assignment?

Brig. Gen. Neubauer: My top priority is to ensure that the commander's vision, intent, priorities and focus are implemented by officer and NCO leaders in each subordinate wing, group and squadron.

Crimson Sky: So far what is your assessment of 7AF personnel (including 51FW and 8FW) and their mission readiness?

Brig. Gen. Neubauer: It's too early for me to assess readiness, but I have no doubt every subordinate outfit in 7th Air Force can get the job done.

Crimson Sky: What are you impressions of the Korean people and the ROK- U.S. Alliance?

Brig. Gen. Neubauer: The ROK-U.S. Alliance is very solid. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the peninsula again with our Korean allies. From a professional standpoint, they embody the martial virtues crucial to creating a spirit of teamwork.

From a personal standpoint, the Korean people are warm, friendly - very patient with our lack of Korean language skills - an admirable people.

Crimson Sky: Having been stationed in Korea twice before, how do you expect to grow during your tour?

Brig. Gen. Neubauer: This time around I will have the chance to see the issues and challenges our Combined Forces Command headquarters leadership deals with every day. I will also enjoy a closer working relationship with my Korean counterparts, which I didn't have in my previous two assignments at Kunsan.

From a personal standpoint, I'd like to see more of the peninsula than I have in the past. I'm looking forward to sightseeing in Seoul, visiting historical landmarks, skiing, hiking, touring the national park system. That sort of thing.

Crimson Sky: What advice/words of wisdom have served you well throughout your career?

Brig. Gen. Neubauer: There have been so many positive, inspirational Airmen I've looked up to over the years, and they've all taught me of the importance of leadership. Leadership can come from anyone, regardless of rank or specialty.

Leaders create belief, and belief is powerful stuff. Just ask a chaplain - if you ask a chaplain about belief, you get an "Amen!" Belief uncorks other virtues - trust, loyalty, and action.

Our resources are limited, and we face some very tough challenges ahead. But the one thing we have plenty of is energy. All it takes is a little nudge, and that's where leaders come in. That nudge comes from creating belief - in the mission, in each other, in oneself. Belief releases energy in people. With belief, you create trust. When there's trust, you inspire loyalty. And when you have loyalty, you unleash action. Anybody can do it. I don't care if you've got a stripe on your sleeve or stars on your collar. Anyone of us can inspire. So go out and create belief, because your leaders believe in you.

To build a solid foundation, Airmen must train their bodies, minds and spirits for the unknown and unknowable challenges they face. We must use physical training to warm the body, martial skills to sharpen the mind, and heritage to nourish the spirit. The virtues of fitness - accuracy, agility, balance, coordination, endurance, flexibility, power, speed, stamina, and strength - are martial virtues. They augment the martial skills learned in the Airman's Manual, shown on the flightline, honed in the air and practiced on the ground. Heritage nourishes the spirit by reminding us of the courage, devotion, and valor of our forebears. Seventh Air Force, the Wolf Pack and the Mustangs all have a tremendous heritage. We should all know it, add to it and imprint it on our Airmen.

Crimson Sky: What are your thoughts on being nominated for promotion to Major General?

Brig. Gen. Neubauer: I am grateful beyond words for the opportunity to keep serving.

Crimson Sky: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Brig. Gen. Neubauer: I'm fired up to be here, and look forward to serving with the Airmen of 7th Air Force.