CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Congratulations Team Charleston! The many months of hard work and preparation you dedicated to training for this operational readiness inspection were put to the test by the Inspection Team this past week. You demonstrated pride and professionalism in everything you did. In just a few days time, we accomplished a lot and truly exemplified what it means to "Take the Fight to the Enemy!"
Team Charleston displayed a positive attitude in the face of adversity that was not only infectious, but it enabled each individual to perform their duties despite difficult situations.
During our initial response, we successfully deployed more than 800 Airmen and 499 short tons of cargo to establish the 805th Air Expeditionary Wing. Today at Alpena, Mich., our deployed team is still fighting the war. The 805 AEW is flying missions while defending the base from simulated attacks. At every opportunity, our Team Charleston professionalism and motivation shines brightly ... and confirms once more the performance which has made this base the Air Force's preeminent cargo hauler and mission mover!
I am very proud of our performance. Despite stressful situations, you remembered your training, followed your Air Force Instructions and continued to keep safety at the forefront of your decision making. Every Airman, both deployed and at home station, worked tirelessly to ensure we were ready to execute the mission.
Please continue to show your Team Charleston spirit as we heartily welcome back the 805 AEW deployed members. I am exceptionally proud to be a part of this team, and look forward to the Inspector General out-brief and community-sponsored picnic at the Charleston Club Aug. 15.
The motivation that sustained us during this exercise should continue in our day-to-day operations.
Acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley wrote recently in his June 30 Letter to Airmen that "Recommitting to our own high standards is the foundation for our success in every mission area." By maintaining those high standards, we will be able to meet the challenges we face today and in the future.
As we reflect on this past week's events, I would like to remind everyone what Acting Secretary Donley charges in his letter:
- Continue leaning forward in every respect in support of Joint operations.
- Ensure that our core values of Integrity First, Service before Self, and Excellence in All We Do underpin every action, by every Airman, at all times.
- Commit to individual and organizational accountability.
- Critically examine our internal processes, restore discipline, identify weaknesses and aggressively solve problems.
- Overcome any challenge that impinges on our credibility, readiness, or the trust placed in us by others.
- Do our mission for the Nation, and do it well.
We must remember that effort matters ... but results count. We must recommit to the highest standards of excellence every day and in everything we do. No task should be so mundane that it requires less than our best effort.
Team Charleston has always maintained the highest standards of excellence and has conquered every challenge we have faced. I am very confident we will continue to maintain a proud example of excellence into the future.
We are ... Team Charleston. Take the Fight to the Enemy!