Focusing on nuclear improvements, building stronger work environments

  • Published
  • By Col. Mark Dillon
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  It is always great to be back home at Travis. Taking leave enabled this Airman to spend valuable time with family attending a significant family event--my nephew's wedding. 

Throughout the year and especially as we approach the holiday season, I strongly encourage all of you to take time for some much deserved rest. In this lengthy global war on terror, balancing mission and personal well-being to maintain physical and mental stability is essential to long-term mission success. 

As I began my week recharged from leave, the expert small-arms instruction provided by Staff Sgt. Jarrod Steward, 60th Security Forces combat arms instructor, epitomized the professionalism and commitment of our Security Force defenders. United States 

Strategic Command's seven-day "Global Lightning" exercise concluded Nov. 18. Our wing's participation in this strategic communication and control exercise was exemplary. 
Noteworthy was the performance of Master Sgt. Dave Crowell, whose masterful instruction to the Command Post controllers and weapon system aircrews was cited as pivotal to the successful exercise. This planning and resourcing exercise confirmed 

Team Travis stands ready to support our nation's nuclear deterrence mission.
Since the reinvigoration of the nuclear enterprise became our service's top priority, progress has been made to correct the long-standing missteps in our service's nuclear oversight. 

The atrophy of the Air Force nuclear guardianship can be attributed to the series of successful diplomatic events in the early 1990s which culminated with the end of the Cold War. As the lone remaining superpower, the American nuclear deterrence mission was neglected. 

In response, the Air Force is standing-up the Global Strike Command to manage all Air Force nuclear assets within a single MAJCOM. Additionally, streamlined inspection processes will improve nuclear oversight. The lessons of our past have strengthened our future nuclear posture, and senior military leaders have taken notice of the improvements. 

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates is confident in the progress made to date stating, "The Air Force is now moving in the right direction." The reinvigoration has made strides to reestablish our nuclear deterrence capability to the Cold War standard of excellence. 

We are also making huge strides in another Air Force priority by expanding the "Airmen taking care of Airmen" culture. At the heart of this culture is military family. It was an honor to participate in the Military Family of the Year celebration hosted by the Airman and Family Readiness Center Nov. 20. We cannot thank our families enough for the support, sacrifice, and strength they provide each day. 

The Airmen helping Airmen culture was also a major theme during our annual Wingman Day, which enabled us all to "pause" the mission, and focus on what I consider the most important weapon system--our Airmen. By learning more about our fellow Airmen through improved relationships, we can better assist those in our military family, prevent potential tragedy, and ultimately increase mission capability.

 I want to thank Maj. Kim Dale, the wing's POC for this event, and the dozens of unit Wingman Day representatives who volunteered to facilitate this morale building day. 

You are busier than ever, so take your well-earned leave and care of your Airmen and their families. In doing so, our Airmen will continue to take care of the mission!