***image1***Probably one of the most common questions I’ve been asked is, “Sir, what is our mission?” As commanders we each have crafted mission statements for our units, and no doubt each of us labored to develop a statement that embraces the Air Force Core Values that apply to our particular squadrons.
I do not really believe this answer is what our folks are asking for. Each of these professionals want to know that they are providing a service to our country, and that someday they can look back on their service fondly and can tell their grandchildren, “This is what I did in the Air Force.”
“Sir, what is our mission?” This is a logical question, since many on Ramstein have not yet witnessed combat, or have been in a combat zone, requiring what appears to be “courage” in their eyes. This, I believe is understandable, though each of us sometimes don’t realize the courage that it takes to be Airmen, living and working in the U.S. Air Forces in Europe theater. It took courage to raise a right hand, courage to survive military training, courage to work hours that civilian friends back home could never imagine, and especially courage to do the “right thing,” no matter the consequences.
For those of us who do not consider ourselves at war, look around you. If you take a bit of time, you will see that each of you are integral to this functioning war machine, working to make this world safe for freedom and for democracy.
This may sound trite and corny, but nevertheless is true. Our Airmen support this war against terrorism in many different ways. Each of us brings a special talent to the table. Let’s face it, we’re not all Air Force pilots flying high performance aircraft. We are flightline crews, security specialists, firefighters, medics, all supporting this fight, providing the best warriors the world has known, the best support ever created.
Every day we see each other almost effortlessly performing our jobs, sometimes with a smile, sometimes not. It is transparent to each that every one of us is fighting a war. No, not carrying a weapon in many cases – we are the weapon. Our Airmen are the components of an idea, which only a half century ago was a dream. Our country created this finely engineered team of warriors to protect its borders, to do its bidding and to act as the last line of diplomacy. All of us are accomplishing this every day when we put on the uniform.
So, what do you answer when asked “What’s our mission, sir?” Simple … our mission is to each do our job of warfighting, whether checking inventory in a warehouse, filling out a form, hauling supplies in a C-130 or even checking a patient’s blood pressure. Our mission is all of these things and more. Think about it. Without our team of Air Force brothers and sisters, the dream of freedom would be just that … a dream.
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***image1***Probably one of the most common questions I’ve been asked is, “Sir, what is our mission?” As commanders we each have crafted mission statements for our units, and no doubt each of us labored to develop a statement that embraces the Air Force Core Values that apply to our particular squadrons.
I do not really believe this answer is what our folks are asking for. Each of these professionals want to know that they are providing a service to our country, and that someday they can look back on their service fondly and can tell their grandchildren, “This is what I did in the Air Force.”
“Sir, what is our mission?” This is a logical question, since many on Ramstein have not yet witnessed combat, or have been in a combat zone, requiring what appears to be “courage” in their eyes. This, I believe is understandable, though each of us sometimes don’t realize the courage that it takes to be Airmen, living and working in the U.S. Air Forces in Europe theater. It took courage to raise a right hand, courage to survive military training, courage to work hours that civilian friends back home could never imagine, and especially courage to do the “right thing,” no matter the consequences.
For those of us who do not consider ourselves at war, look around you. If you take a bit of time, you will see that each of you are integral to this functioning war machine, working to make this world safe for freedom and for democracy.
This may sound trite and corny, but nevertheless is true. Our Airmen support this war against terrorism in many different ways. Each of us brings a special talent to the table. Let’s face it, we’re not all Air Force pilots flying high performance aircraft. We are flightline crews, security specialists, firefighters, medics, all supporting this fight, providing the best warriors the world has known, the best support ever created.
Every day we see each other almost effortlessly performing our jobs, sometimes with a smile, sometimes not. It is transparent to each that every one of us is fighting a war. No, not carrying a weapon in many cases – we are the weapon. Our Airmen are the components of an idea, which only a half century ago was a dream. Our country created this finely engineered team of warriors to protect its borders, to do its bidding and to act as the last line of diplomacy. All of us are accomplishing this every day when we put on the uniform.
So, what do you answer when asked “What’s our mission, sir?” Simple … our mission is to each do our job of warfighting, whether checking inventory in a warehouse, filling out a form, hauling supplies in a C-130 or even checking a patient’s blood pressure. Our mission is all of these things and more. Think about it. Without our team of Air Force brothers and sisters, the dream of freedom would be just that … a dream.