Song symbolic of pride in our work

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Michael Williams
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  It's Friday, time to relax, and enjoy friends and family. This week was filled with change-of-command ceremonies and greeting and welcoming the new leaders to our team. Each ceremony concluded with the playing of our Air Force song- an appropriate, proud and proper manner in which to end such a historical event. However, I was amazed at the number of Airmen who didn't know the first verse of our Air Force song, "Wild Blue Yonder." You know the individuals that substitute their own words because they don't know the verse or the ones who hum instead of singing:

Off we go into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high into the sun;
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun! (Give 'er the gun now!)
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!
Nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force!

We're Airmen; we should know and sing our Air Force song with passion and pride. I know some of you may say, "I'm not a pilot, off into the wild blue yonder."

Nevertheless, it's who we are! As Airmen our mission is to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace. Regardless of your Air Force specialty, we're Airmen first and each of us has a responsibility to accomplish the mission. It's not about the planes or the pilots, it's about Airmen answering our nation's call, being faithful to a proud heritage, a tradition of honor and a legacy of valor; wingmen, leaders, warriors vowing never to leave an Airman behind, never to falter and not failing ... it's in our DNA.

Yes, the aircrew is under the assumption they own the aircraft. The maintainers believe they own the aircraft and loan them to the aircrew for the duration of the flight. They're both wrong- the aircraft truly belongs to all of us. Those aircraft can't get airborne without fuel, air traffic controllers or base operations where the flight plan is filed. Our security forces guard and protect the aircraft, our physicians make sure the aircrew is mentally and physically capable of flying and our aircrew can't focus without a healthy meal wondering about their finances. We can't fly, fight and win without contributions from every Airman. I've taken the liberty of mentioning functions in the Director of Staff, Operations, Maintenance, Mission Support and Medical Group. Our civilians and family members are vital to mission accomplishment as well. From the North gate to the South gate and everything in between, each is required to ensure mission success.

Be proud of being an Airman, guardian of freedom and justice and learn the Air Force Song and the Airman's Creed. The next time we close an event with our Air Force Song, let's sing it with pride. 

Have a great weekend and as usual: Be safe, make responsible choices and I'll see you around campus.