Thanks to force's unsung heroes

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Joseph Dingman
  • 21st Airlift Squadron commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  For more than 17 years, I have had a better half and partner I don't deserve. My father, speaking in football terms, would frequently tell me, "Joe, you've outkicked your coverage."

When I reflect on the successes of my Air Force career and those of my family, the one common thread for this success has been the grace, wisdom, and uncompromising love of my amazing wife.

As a self-professed Type A personality who has a hard time slowing down, the assumption is often made my family, specifically my spouse, is automatically along for the ride, most times without her consent. I know I speak for most, if not all Air Force members, who feel the same way.

For reasons not always articulated, we assume a consensual agreement to our career moves and great ideas, while our spouses silently assume the role of dual parenting during temporary duties, deployments, long hours and more.

This is all done while supporting and nurturing the other families who are tied within our squadrons and Air Force. The bonds I've observed amongst our families are simply unheard of in most segments of our country. Most of us take our spouses from the comfortable confines of a hometown, with established networks of friends and family, to new places and new communities. While this creates opportunities, our spouses also make great sacrifices to enable us to serve the nation and fight for those things we hold to be critical to the American way of life, liberty, freedom and equality.

While we accrue awards, accolades and a direct connection to a mission bigger than ourselves, our spouses tirelessly continue to support, love and sacrifice without recognition or complaint. They continue to do this day after day, year after year - ultimately enabling our Air Force mission to succeed. Simply put, our accomplishments are directly tied to those we love the most, but who are recognized the least.

So, to all the spouses in the 21st Airlift Squadron, at Travis and throughout our Air Force, thank you for supporting, encouraging, loving and challenging us to be our very best, every day.

To my absolute better-half, Natalie, thank you for making me a better man, father, officer and commander. I am blessed to be on your arm. While our command tour is coming to a close, there is no doubt the success of the BEEliners is a direct reflection of you, our key spouses and the rest of our families. You are the unsung hero, an amazing friend, wife, mother and American. Thank you, I'm humbled and proud to call you my partner in life.