CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. –
Good morning Team Charleston. In my previous two commentaries, I highlighted two of my three focus areas for Charleston Air Force Base ..."Airmen and Family" and "Mission." This week, I am continuing my discussion on "Mission."
Charleston AFB is unique; a premier organization in an extraordinary time, a time when the nation is at war. The capabilities we offer our nation are critically important -- the ability to project with precision and support massive amounts of combat power over strategic distances.
With every Mine Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle we successfully deliver to Iraq, we are saving lives. Our folks are working overtime to deliver equipment and supplies to the front lines. We are delivering freedom and saving lives with every C-17 that takes off destined for locations around the globe.
Our nation is at war and 9-11 was a dramatic announcement that our enemy is determined and able to strike on our home turf. The Charleston mission is so important because our nation doesn't like to fight home games -- we much prefer to fight in the enemy's front yard, not ours.
Simply put, our mission is to "Take the Fight to the Enemy!"
However, sometimes the enemy is not a terrorist. Sometimes the enemy is a natural disaster, and the fight is to provide humanitarian relief. Sometimes the enemy is time, and the fight is to airlift wounded Airmen or a sick family member to get world-class medical care. Sometimes the enemy is a gate runner and the fight is to provide security for our assets. Sometimes the enemy is a distraught family member and the fight is to provide counseling and moral support.
We fight and win as a team and our magnificent professional people and their families are our most cherished and valuable asset. Aircraft do not maintain themselves ... cargo does not self-load ... flights do not self-operate. People put the life in lift. Everyone in our wing contributes to the mission; no one should measure their worth by their proximity to a C-17 flight deck. It takes integrated and coordinated efforts, with each team member performing to the highest standards to accomplish our mission because our operations tempo has not slowed down despite the deployments.
It was another busy week, with almost 900 people deployed, and more heading out the door. Now, more than ever, it is important that we take care of each other. You can do your part in accomplishing the mission by staying vigilant and being a force multiplier for our security forces, by stopping in to check on the family of a deployed member, or by taking time to thank someone who is shouldering an extra load to fill in for someone who is deployed.
Let's approach our mission with enthusiasm, professionalism and an abiding respect for one another. Together we will serve our leadership and our nation well, and with courage, precision and reliability.
Team Charleston - Take the Fight to the Enemy!