CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Team Charleston, as I reflect on the success of the 2008 "Wings Over Charleston" Air Expo, I would like to thank you all for your hard work. Because of you, we were able to showcase some of the finest aviation technology the world has to offer.
Now, we are about to embark on our next challenge -- the mobility exercise. After the success of the air expo, of course, we expect the same stellar performance as we enter the final stages of preparation for the operational readiness inspection.
Most of you know that an ORI is a very important Air Force inspection. It is designed to assess and validate a wing's ability to execute their wartime and contingency missions.
The 437th and 315th Airlift Wings are more than prepared. We are trained and equipped and most importantly, we execute our wartime and contingency missions every day. For us, the ORI is business as usual. Our desire to be the best and teamwork are two factors that will prove key to our success. These qualities are not uncommon to either the active-duty or reserve wings. In fact, they reflect how we routinely get things done. Our success will also be influenced by our ability to approach this challenge with the Team Charleston attitude that has served us so well. That applies to those of us who are directly involved in the inspection and those of us who aren't. Although you may not pack a bag and board a C-17 to deploy to an exercise location, your role and attitude is important to the success of the team.
Our unit deployment managers keep the necessary documents in inspection order, our maintainers keep the fleet mission ready, and the "Port Dawgs" stand ready to process cargo. These operations represent some of what we do every day and the mobex is our opportunity to demonstrate how we do it -- as a team--and how well we do it -- outstandingly! The value we place on mutual support and interdependent teamwork is a Team Charleston strength and I believe that strength will propel us to yet another impressive success.
Congratulations to Tech. Sgt. Nina Murphy, 437th Force Support Squadron. The Charleston Chamber of Commerce recognized her contributions to the local community and to the country as their 2007 Air Force Service Member of the Year. The Charleston Chamber also honored men and women from each branch of the armed forces for their contributions. Congratulations are also in order for the Chamber itself for winning the Abilene trophy. The Abilene trophy is an annual Air Mobility Commans award presented to the community that is most supportive of its local Air Force base. Since the award was established in 1998, the Charleston Chamber has won it three times -- in 2002, 2005 and 2007.
Finally, congratulations to the May promotees. As you pin on that stripe you begin another phase in your career. I can't emphasize enough that with every promotion comes increased responsibility. I challenge you to embrace the responsibility given to you. I trust you will view this promotion as your opportunity to make a difference with your subordinates, with your peers, in your units and on this base. I wish you all great success.
Team Charleston - Take the Fight to the Enemy!