CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
As Airmen serving in our great Air Force, we each perform jobs to accomplish a greater task ... our mission. Wherever you are assigned, your individual efforts to carry out your duties with precision and reliability are part of the bigger mission enabling the Air Force to fight the Global War on Terrorism and support humanitarian missions worldwide.
At times, there may be jobs that may seem minuscule compared to the overall goals of the Air Force -- but at the end of the day, our aircraft won't fly, our people won't deploy and our families won't be supported without the everyday tasks we must accomplish to make these things happen. Every role is important. No one should measure their worth to our mission by how close they work to a C-17 flight deck.
Perhaps your job is to prepare box lunches or inspect equipment. Maybe it's in-processing newly arrived Airmen or to provide combat skills training to our deploying men and women. Whatever the job or present task at hand -- it's important. The things we may consider to be "mundane" contribute in far greater ways -- they make our ability to fly, fight and win possible.
In a joint letter written on this year's 61st anniversary of the Air Force, acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said, "In the past year, America's Airmen have delivered humanitarian aid to those in need and passed the milestone of one million sorties generated in support of the global war on terror. You have operated the Nation's space enterprise and stood watch over America's nuclear arsenal. You stood alongside ground and special operations forces as Battlefield Airmen, defended against rogue actors in cyberspace and cared for the sick and wounded. You have made a global impact that spans the spectrum of conflict, all the while defending the homeland."
Team Charleston, you helped to make those things possible. By keeping your promise to go above and beyond what is asked of you, lives are saved, our sister services are supported and our Nation is protected.
Every box lunch that is made helps to sustain an aircrew member throughout a long mission. Every inspection and inventory that is accomplished on our equipment ensures our aircraft fly safely. Every piece of paperwork that is processed for newly arrived Team Charleston members makes sure they are supported and can begin their job. And every moment spent, down to the smallest detail, to train our Airmen before deploying, not only makes certain they are ready to fight, but also makes certain they will return home safely.
We are in this fight together -- no matter what your contribution is. Always remember that while your duty title might read "medical technician, mechanic, legal assistant or pilot," you are, at the end of every day, an Airman -- an Airman committed to the highest standards of integrity, service and excellence. Your contributions, no matter how small they may seem at times, save lives, make the mission happen and take the fight to the enemy!
Team Charleston - Take the Fight to the Enemy!