Unrivaled global reach for America

  • Published
  • By Col. Mark Dillon
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  2009 is a great year to be an Airman, as we focus on getting back to the basics. With that in mind, I have spent the past six weeks reviewing fundamental aspects of our great history which govern our nation and way of life -- our founding fathers and the documents they inspired. In order to support and defend our nation, our Air Force leaders have provided us their top priorities to keep our institution focused as we prosecute the Global War on Terror. 

Our five new Air Mobility Command focus areas (bolded below) outline how commander, Air Mobility Command, Gen. Arthur Lichte expects us to support our Air Force's top priorities. It is essential each air mobility Airman understand individual and unit roles in support of these priorities. Team Travis has and will continue play a major role to win today's fight as part of the joint/coalition force. Defeating terrorism requires the teamwork of Airmen of every Air Force specialty code to be ready to execute our mission. In an effort to support our nation's deterrence mission, we must enhance nuclear mission support. 

Accountability is key to a safe, secure and reliable nuclear enterprise. Our mission success is inextricability linked to AMC's priority to develop and care for our Airmen and families. "Capital A" Airmen (defined as active duty, Reserve, Guard, civilians, retirees and family members) are what make us the most dominant airpower in world history. In order to optimize and retain our most valuable weapon system, the American Airman, we must continue to care for our entire Air Force family. 

Air mobility success tomorrow depends on our success today by budgeting and planning properly. We must be good stewards of our taxpayers' resources as we prepare mobility forces for the future. The recapitalization and modernization of our equipment and continued process improvement will optimize mission efficiency and effectiveness. As we prepare for the future, we must rely on our ability to optimize mobility partnerships. Continued mission success requires teamwork with industry, joint service, total-force, contractor and interagency partners. 

For the next five weeks, I will expand upon each of the five focus areas relevant to Team Travis' mission. By doing so, General Lichte's vision -- "unrivaled global reach for America" -- will be clearly understood by all. We will remain the world's most respected and powerful Air Force by pursuing our vision, focusing on our priorities and maintaining our fundamental back-to-basics attitude.