Giving back to our veterans

  • Published
  • By Col. Mark Dillon
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  What a great time to be an American Airman! It began Nov. 10 with a flawless and inspirational performance by the United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team. During their routine in our Fitness Center, Master Sgt. Steven West's team amazed the audience with their precision and reliability. 

On Veterans Day, multiple members of Team Travis attended services that honor our veterans across Solano and Napa counties. Col. Matt Yotter from the 615th Contingency Response Wing and I represented Team Travis at the 49th annual Veterans Day tribute in Sonoma. 

We proudly watched as a five-man team consisting of members of the visiting USAF Honor Guard Drill Team and our very own Travis Honor Guard team of Staff Sgt. Rudyard Ganuelas, Senior Airmen William Luce and Cesar Velasco and Airman 1st Class Jolene McHenry paid tribute to veterans with their customary picture perfect performance. If only the late Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold, our first and only five-Star General of the Air Force and ceremony honoree, could have seen these sharp Airmen. 

During the ceremony, General Arnold's grandson Robert, a resident of Sonoma, provided an insightful perspective of this airpower pioneer, through his recollections of his grandfather. I know I speak for Col. Yotter and dozens of others when I say ... Veterans Day was a great day to be an Airman! 

Travis' Chiefs Group led the charge early Nov. 12 by personally congratulating nine new chief master sergeant selectees. Congrats to Team Travis chief selects Steve Burns, Curtis Cookston, Ted Hebert, Tony LeGree, Robert Lewis, Rodney Miller, Darwin Peters, Edward Siegle and James Williams. 

Team Travis hosted several distinguished visitors who were here to welcome Brig. Gen. Barbara Faulkenberry as the new 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force commander Nov. 13. General Faulkenberry comes to us from Scott Air Force Base where she served as the Air Mobility Command deputy director of Strategic Plans, Requirements and Programs. Later that same day, Brig. Gen. Mark Stearns retired after 29 years of distinguished service. To General Stearns and his amazing wife Darcey, thank you and God speed. 

The weeks ahead will continue to be great for our Airman. On Nov. 21 we'll pause our mission for our annual "Wingman Day," in which units of the 60th Air Mobility Wing will conduct commander's calls, reinforce training and strengthen unit morale. 

Our emphasis on our most important weapon system, our Airman, continues through the Thanksgiving holiday. The 60 AMW Holiday Fest will be held on Dec. 3 in Bldg. P-14. The theme of this year's celebration is "Giving Back to Airman." There will be free food and fun for all 60 AMW Airmen and their families. 

Kudos to the holiday fest committee for all their hard work to make this happen! For more details please contact your unit reps, tune your radio to AM 890, watch the Commanders Access Channel or open a Tailwind. 

Each and every week is a great week to be an Airman. I salute each and every one of you and your families for serving this great nation.