CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Practice truly does make perfect. That's why this week we're honing our mobility skills with an exercise.
Why do we need to practice how to deploy when we keep about a fourth of our Airmen downrange already? Why do we need to test our ability to process cargo when our aerial porters are handling all air cargo supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom? Why do we need to practice deploying our C-17s and aircrews when we have an airlift squadron deployed at all times already flying combat sorties everyday? It's because we don't get a chance to deploy together as a wing and we have to be ready for that type of deployment.
While the majority of our Airmen have predictability when it comes to deployments with the Air Expeditionary Force system, there's always a chance that we'll receive a warning order and have to deploy as a wing to places we're unfamiliar with. Are we ready to assume control of a bare-base airfield, establish all necessary base support and conduct flying operations from there? I have no doubts of our ability to do so but we must test our deployment processing because we cannot fail at our mission.
Readiness is a state of mind. We must constantly be ready for any challenge and be ready spiritually, emotionally and physically. That's why we go through the motions of a deployment without much simulation during these exercises. We want to see how well our processes are working under extreme conditions. We have to be ready to for an increase in operations tempo even though sometimes it feels we can't do any more than we already do. A real world warning order to deploy people and equipment to an austere location could hit the base at any given moment. Please be prepared for anything.
Moving on to good news about our wing, the 437th Airlift Wing Legal Office claimed the 2006 award for the Best Overall Military Justice Program in Air Mobility Command for the second consecutive year. While this award is a JA award, it is truly a testament to the commanders, first sergeants and supervisors who take their roles as leaders in our Air Force very seriously.
Finally, I'd like to thank everyone who participated in the Washington Light Infantry Brigade parade this weekend. What a great honor it was to see the veterans who served before us and hear their stories. More than 160 Airmen from the base came out to show support for the best civilian community a base could ever have. A big thanks goes to Tech. Sgt. Rawn Hart, 17th Airlift Squadron, and Rose Alexander, 437th Public Affairs office, for helping to organize our base's participation. Please continue to volunteer your services whenever you can in our great community.
Please continue to make me proud. Take care of yourselves and each other. You are the best of the best!
Team Charleston -- One family, one mission, one fight!