Conversation with the Commander: 1 SOW Commander Col. Jim Slife

When a commander talks, people listen.

Most often, they are duty-bound to remain at attention, eyes forward, and they are obligated by virtue of rank to listen. When 1 Special Operations Wing Commander Col. Jim Slife talks, however, people are naturally inclined to listen.

Slife met with members of the local media to discuss his newly assumed command of the 1 SOW and his vision for the future last week. Slife was at ease discussing a wide range of topics, from the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan to the lack of available undeveloped acreage on Hurlburt Field, and his views on leadership.

No stranger to the Emerald Coast, Slife has been stationed at Hurlburt several times, most recently as director of operations for the 20th Special Operations Squadron from 2002 – 2004. He assumed command of the 1 SOW in late June 2011 and talked about how he viewed the role of a commander.

“I approach the job of being a wing commander like this,” said Slife, “I do a whole lot of walking around asking airmen ‘what do you need, how can I help’ and then go and work on that.”

For more on this story, see the August 25 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.