442d Fighter Wing Leaders Retreat to Build Leadership Skills Published Feb. 25, 2016 By Tech. Sgt. Bob Jennings 442d Fighter Wing 2/25/2016 - KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - -- Leaders from the 442d Fighter Wing gathered at the Sheraton Suites Country Club Plaza in Kansas City last weekend for a retreat to enhance camaraderie and leadership. 28 military members and their spouses attended the three-day conference, where they discussed topics such as financial management and caring for the psychological health of their troops. All commanders and first sergeants in the wing were invited, and more than 90 percent were able to attend. Attendees were encouraged to read The Way of the Shepherd, a book about problem solving in leadership, as preparation for the retreat. Col. Brian Borgen, 442d Fighter Wing Commander, spoke to the theme of the book, as well as presenting on general leadership philosophy. Other briefers included Mr. Tim Storms from the financial management office and Maj. Keith Yersak, who spoke about the nuts and bolts of leadership, including paperwork and performance reports. The retreat was intended to give the wing's leadership a chance to get to know one another better, as most squadron commanders don't often see or interact with each other. "We are all a part of the cog that makes this machine run," said Lt. Col. Joe Walter, acting commander of the 442d Mission Support Group. "It's not just the pilots, it's not just maintainers. If we all know what each other does, we're going to be able to take advantage of that as a collective group to achieve the same goal." This retreat was the first of its kind for the 442d's leadership, though the intent is to make it a semiannual occurrence. For the next retreat, invitations will also be extended to chief master sergeants, and plans are to eventually open the event up to children as well.