Team Travis exemplifies caring

  • Published
  • By Col. Mark Dillon
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  For the past two weeks, this commentary has focused on Team Travis' contribution to Air Mobility Command's top priority -- winning today's fight as part of the joint/coalition force. 
Our ability to successfully achieve this priority is directly dependent upon our balanced attention on the other four priorities. War-winning global reach is made possible by developed and cared-for Airmen, prepared mobility forces, enhanced nuclear support and optimized mobility partnerships. For the next several weeks, each of these individual priorities will be elaborated upon in this column. 

Developing and caring for our Airmen -- AMC's second priority -- helps maintain our most valuable weapon system, the total force, civilian and family-member Airmen. For it is the skilled, knowledegable and focused Airmen that accomplish the mission. There are many factors involved with developing and caring for Airmen to include training, education, health, fitness and promotion. Supervisors must continue to put these developmental factors into practice in order to bolster the quality of our Airmen. Although these factors are important, it our willingness to go the extra mile to improve the well-being of our people that has made us the most dominate Air Force the world has ever known. A cared-for Airman is a loyal, dedicated Airman. 

One easy way for all Team Travis Airmen, regardless of rank or position, to improve the welfare of the Air Force family is to contribute to the Air Force Assistance Fund. Our annual six-week fundraising campaign, which supports our four official Air Force charities, kicked-off this week. This year's campaign theme, "Commitment to Caring," capitalizes on our Airmen taking care of Airmen philosophy. By every member of Team Travis simply giving 50 cents a week (a $2 monthly payroll reduction), we would far exceed the installation's financial goal of $115,449, and more importantly, help past and present Airmen in need. The $24.3 million dollars collected last year helped more than 45,000 of our own by affording emergency assistance, education programs and community enhancement programs. We are all experiencing the strain of our nation's current economic situation, but if we each passed-up one custom cup of coffee per month we could help an Air Force family in need of the AFAF. Each of us can make a difference to improve the quality of service for our Airmen through our generosity. 

Developing and caring for our Airman -- AMC's second priority. What a better way to meet this priority than through our annual AFAF drive. Please support your fellow Airmen. I appreciate your continued generosity and service to our great nation.