CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
"The definition of a successful life must include serving others." - President George H. W. Bush
It is an honor to become a wing commander ... and not for the parking spaces or honors rendered, but because of the opportunities and responsibility of ensuring all those who fall under my command have the tools, resources and leadership necessary for the mission.
It is an opportunity to serve the magnificent Airmen, civilians and soon to be Sailors and Marines of the 628th Air Base Wing. People like Airman 1st Class Chris Bryant, whose professionalism at the front gate impressed me, and people like Martha Hughett whose has become the rock in my front office with a work ethic and initiative that are deeply appreciated.
It will also be an honor to serve all the members of Joint Team Charleston as the 628 ABW takes on the additional role of installation management for both this Air Force base and Naval Weapons Station Charleston, beginning Jan. 31. Not only will we maintain our support to the joint warfight in theater, but we'll also now bring the concept home as we begin the process of living joint. I look forward to serving the more than 79,000 people who will count on the services provided by the 628 ABW.
This process begins in earnest Jan. 31 as we begin to assume our first set of responsibilities for overall support to Joint Base Charleston, and it will continue through Oct. 1 when the 628 ABW takes on all installation management functions across both the Air Force base and Naval Weapons Station Charleston. During this transition stage, I'm committed to building "One Team, Serving All," with a focus on unrivaled support ... unrivaled support garnered from a strong team, capitalizing on the unique strengths brought from both service cultures.
Joint basing gives us the opportunity to look at how we do things in a different light, which is important as we integrate 1,424 Air Force personnel with 677 Navy civilians and Sailors. Often, limits exist only because we've come to believe improvement is impossible.
For example, take Roger Bannister and his quest to run a mile in under four minutes. Before 1954, conventional wisdom held the human heart couldn't stand the stress of running a four minute mile. After all, no one in 20 centuries had been able to achieve the feat. Then, Roger Bannister proved it could be done, when on a blustery day in May 1954, he posted a shocking time of 3:59:04. Before the year was out, 16 different men followed his example.
Serving our fellow Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers and Marines, and all those who are part of Joint Team Charleston, will demand the 628 ABW's best, but I can think of no greater endeavor I would want to be part of.