Twenty-seven senior noncommissioned officers from the 446th Airlift Wing and from around the Air Force Reserve Command gathered July 11-12 for the Senior NCO Leadership Development Course at McChord Field, here.

The two-day, non-traditional course is designed to enhance the trust, teamwork and communication of senior NCOs to be better mentors and leaders in their units.

The course is taught without the use of slideshow presentations and incorporates several hands-on activities to enhance the airmen's abilities to learn the information in a practical manner.

"This course provides the tools for senior leaders on how they can best supervise, lead and follow," said Master Sgt. Anthony Gallela, wing organizer for the leadership course and unit training manager for the 446th Aerospace Medicine Squadron. "It allows them to focus on the importance of these tools which are taught and practiced through different exercises during class."

The objective of the course is to enhance the awareness of senior NCOs in the dynamics of supervision and leadership in the workplace.

While attending the class, students worked in small teams to enhance their abilities in management, leadership, communications, counseling and managing stress. The class reinforces information that the students already know and shows them different ways to apply the tools.

"It's an awesome class," said Chief Master Sgt. Amy Rae-Contreras, a leadership development course instructor from the 452nd Operational Support Squadron at March Air Reserve Base, California. "This course shows senior NCOs how to re-sharpen the tools that they already have."

The class also focuses on teamwork and communication.

During one class assignment students had to work as a team to develop a new type of aircraft. After receiving some basic materials, the students then had to build the aircraft and present it to the class.

"One of the key concepts that the Air Force is pushing right now is innovation," said Gallela. "Going to this course will help you incorporate new ideas and put you in the right frame of mind."

McChord Field hosts two classes a year. Those interested in attending can contact Master Sgt. Gallela at 253.982.9905.