Most rewarding time in career

  • Published
  • By Col. Al Lupenski
  • 60th Operations Gorup Commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and
become more, you are a leader." John Quincy Adams

As I prepare to depart the Travis to take command of the 932nd Airlift Wing, I reflect on the success of this the base throughout the past three years. The accomplishments are a direct reflection of the dedication and patriotism of each and every member of this team. We have proven over and over, that we can meet any challenge and perform with incredible success.

The key to all this success is the relationships we have formed. In the three plus years that I have been in command of the 349th Operations Group, I have watched as our people have worked together to solve problems and accomplish the mobility mission.

Another key to our success of this base is the enduring relationships between the organizations here. Never do you hear the 349th Air Mobility Wing or 615th Contingency Response Wing referred to as "tenants." We are true partners with the 60 Air Mobility Wing, and this partnership is by far the benchmark for all others to emulate.

During my remarks at my assumption of command in 2008, I drew a comparison between our wing and a football team. I compared the Operations to the offense, the Maintenance to the defense, the Mission Support to special teams and the Medical to the medical staff. I talked about how just having a good offense was not enough to make a championship team. It takes the whole team to win it all. We truly have a championship team at Travis.

This has been the most rewarding three years of my Air Force career. It has truly been an honor to serve with each and every one of you.