Travis ... in the rear view mirror

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Bryan Watt
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Director of Staff
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  While thinking about my time spent at Travis during this assignment, I recently came to the conclusion that it was the most rewarding and fulfilling time in my career in the Air Force.

The opportunities afforded me were incredible, and I have served with the best people in the world, at the biggest wing in Air Mobility Command. Even if you have only been at Travis a couple of days, you know by now that you are at the absolute best and busiest base in the command, bar none. We simply do not accept second place here. We do the mission better than anyone - and at twice the pace. You should definitely feel proud of the great work that you do for your country.

The transition to civilian life for me will no doubt be difficult. Perhaps one of the first things I will miss is the dedication to duty that I have seen since my arrival. Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All You Do are more than just words. They are a way of life, values that are defining to our community ... uncommon characteristics that are like a piercing light that is undeniably good. These values we take with us into battle, and we carry them with us wherever we go as ambassadors of our Air Force.

Because of our core values, we are easily recognized as a cut above the rest. Live them. Others will notice.

Those who know me best will tell you that I have three main points in my life (sort of like a life-sized briefing you might say). They are God, family, country. These three "points" define who I am, and during the past 20 years they have been the bedrock of my life and service. Not to say a perfect service, but a service that has always strived for excellence and never settled for second place. My hope at the conclusion of my career is that I have served my country well and that the superior Airmen and civilians with whom I have been entrusted have benefited from my leadership. They deserve it.

As I say my last farewell before my retirement ceremony Monday I would like to leave you with one last picture. There is an admonition in the Bible that we ought not "look back" in longing at the past, at what we leave behind. But in a positive sense, I am certain that my family and I will be looking back at Travis and the Air Force "in the rear view mirror" for quite some time to recollect on all the good that has been done for our nation by a proud and strong group of the finest people we have ever met.