CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
This week one of my execs, Maj. Ron Schochenmaier introduced me to a quote from Thomas Jefferson: "I'm a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it." At Charleston AFB, the luck or reward that comes from hard work is seen in different forms. Whether you are turning a wrench, spraying paint or mission planning a low-level, commitment to the team and to the hard work that needs to be done will always pay dividends in the long haul.
Sometimes, the reward comes in the form of a squadron or individual award; sometimes it simply comes in having an aircraft safely execute a high-risk mission. Most of the time, however, is comes in just knowing that you completed a full day's work.
Last week, I wrote about working hard and not caring who gets the credit. This week, I want you to think about what it takes to commit to your team. I want you to understand that sometimes it takes a little "elbow grease" and hard work to commit to our team's daily tasks that help us succeed.
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit our Aircraft Paint Shop. I was amazed at the process and the attention to detail that this maintenance team ensures in order to protect and enhance the exterior of our aircraft. Floyd Garner, Master Sgt. Guy Toney, Master Sgt. Ray Clinger and Capt. Art Shields all eagerly showed off what our Airmen are doing. Their commitment to task requires a lot of patience and a dozen "frozen vests" to get an aircraft looking like it rolled out of the factory. Of course, it is easy to smile when they see their end-product, a newly painted C-17.
Commitment to one's job and team can also be found a little farther "north", as in North Auxiliary Field. While completing a local training mission with Capt. Will Medlicott and the 16th Airlift Squadron, I was able to visit our Airmen and contractors committed to the safe execution of our training. I was very impressed to see several of our teammates working hard with their daily activities. Quinton Walling has the never-ending task of making sure the grass is cut on the entire field, and Staff Sgt. Chris Bakopoulos must ensure his firefighting team is ready at a moment's notice. The task of cutting grass and daily training of firefighters are both equally critical.
John Harriger and Staff Sgt. Jeff Legaspi were also at North Field, providing quarterly reviews of our infrastructure. Everyone who routinely travels to "North" has a somewhat "invisible" task as they are far from Charleston. However, once you stand in the tower with John Lynch you quickly appreciate the enormity of the task at hand.
Finally, many of us enjoyed Wingman Day and the camaraderie it brought to Team Charleston. Special thanks go to Tech. Sgt. Shawn McKeen and Vernonica Griffin for their commitment to ensuring facilities and equipment were available and executing a plan to accommodate the many hundreds that participated and had fun.
Continue to enjoy your summer weekends in South Carolina. Look out for each other, and be safe!