People make missions worthwhile

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. John Payne
  • 22nd Airlift Squadron commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  As I wrapped up my AEF deployment to the Middle East this summer, I asked many of my fellow Airmen what they liked best about their time in the desert. 

Although job satisfaction and a sense of mission came up often, there was one answer that came out every time - the people.

This wasn't really a surprise to me because I have experienced it on every deployment and my C-5 crews experience something similar on every mission they fly. 

When you live and work so closely, whether for two weeks or four months, it binds you together and builds a team that is stronger than the sum of its parts. 

The tie that binds is unit cohesion and their strength is a force multiplier. It also creates a more rewarding experience for everybody.

Although each of us are motivated to serve in the Air Force for different reasons, when the going gets tough it is our buddies that keep us going. Not only are burdens a little lighter, but you unselfishly make additional sacrifices just to ease somebody else's load.

I have witnessed it countless times supporting every operation since Desert Shield. When a unit has this level of cohesion, it can achieve more than anyone thought possible.

The advantage of a deployed location is this level of commitment is almost a by-product of the living and working conditions. But don't think it has to be an austere location. I have seen the same result in southern France and northern Italy.

It can also happen in northern California, but there are challenges. We have our families, soccer leagues, Lake Tahoe and Fisherman's Wharf. 

All wonderful things that should be enjoyed, but they can inhibit us from forging those bonds with our fellow Airmen and their families that will help us succeed as individuals and as a unit in challenging times.

Because unit cohesion is fundamental to success the wing, groups and squadrons dedicating significant resources to bring the team together. 

Squadron picnics, 5K fun runs, Dining Ins, weight lifting competitions and even the clubs are all designed to bring the team together to build that cohesion; but the units can only provide the opportunities.

It takes leadership from the airman basic to the lieutenant colonel to make these events a success. Too often members sit back waiting for somebody else to put together an event or find a reason to not participate, even while they talk about how it was "back in the day." 

The key ingredient then, as it is today, is active participation.

As a squadron commander, I worry about unit cohesion as a matter of readiness. The tighter we are as a unit the better postured we are to support each other and tackle the tough challenges.

As a member of the team, I get involved because it makes for a more enjoyable experience and it builds the bonds of friendship that make my service at Travis special.