Commander for a day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A 325th Operation Support Squadron Airman shadowed the 325th Fighter Wing Commander April 27, as part of the Company Grade Officer Shadow program.

Captain Petrit Hasa, 325th OSS Wing Weather Officer, began his day by attending the monthly CGO breakfast with Colonel James Browne, 325th FW commander.

"I attended the morning CGO breakfast with the commander," said Captain Hasa. "Colonel Browne mentored all of us and answered our questions. Afterwards, I attended various meetings and was able to see all of the important things to which a wing commander is responsible. He also spent a lot of time with me one-on-one, where I learned his perspective on leadership."

Captain Hasa took many valuable ideals from his time spent with the commander.

"The experience taught me certain aspects of leadership change as your responsibilities increase; however, other facets of leadership remain the same," said Captain Hasa. "With increased scope of responsibility, it is impossible to lead all of those under you the way you did as a young CGO. However, you must maintain a healthy interest in those around you, ensuring that they are taken care of and you are in the best way leading from the top down."

Overall, he found the program to be a success.

"Not only does this program provide Colonel Browne with the opportunity to mentor young officers, it allows him to communicate with Airmen at all levels," said Captain Hasa. "The CGO is able to learn from the commander and the commander can use the CGO as a conduit to the people at the unit level."

For those Airmen who will one day undergo the same process, Captain Hasa, had a little advice.

"Be ready with questions because Colonel Browne is ready to answer them," said Captain Hasa. "The questions can be about leadership, base happenings, or advice on career goals."

Captain Hasa was nominated for the CGO shadow program for his hard work and dedication to the mission.

"Captain Hasa is a true professional who is always working to improve the weather support provided to the 325th Fighter Wing," said Lt. Col. Bret Anderson, 325th OSS commander. "He is a great officer with a can-do, mission-first attitude that will serve him and the Air Force for many years to come."