Airmen rise to challenge in any area Published March 18, 2011 By Col. Daniel Miller 615th Contingency Operations Support Group Commander TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- While deployed to the Jimmy Doolittle Center at the 612th Air and Space Operations Center located at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in picturesque Tucson Arizona, I've had the opportunity to reflect on current world news, following a devastating earthquake and Tsunami that struck the island of Japan less than a week ago. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Japanese people and those affected by this tragedy. As I closely follow today's news, I am historically reminded of more than sixty-nine years ago, less than five months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, when 16 U.S. Army Air Corps aircrews departed the carrier USS Hornet in their B-25 Mitchell aircraft--a group that will forever be known to us as the "Doolittle Raiders." Their mission, pushing the very outer limits of what was thought possible at the time, was to strike the empire of Japan for the first time. In a time of challenge, the Raiders stepped forward. In a time of darkness, they gave America hope. And against great odds, they prevailed. This last week I've anxiously watched as U.S. Department of Defense airlift aircraft landed on the Japanese island in direct support to the citizens of both our great nations. Just as senior military leaders were proud of the accomplishments of the Doolittle Raiders in 1942, I too, sixty-nine years later, am proud of the accomplishments of U.S. Airmen as they prepare to deploy in support of the growing relief effort in Japan. Again, in a time of challenge, darkness and uncertainty, heroic Airmen are stepping up to give hope on the world stage. This time, the efforts of amazing and phenomenal Airmen isn't to strike the Japanese island, but provide support as only American Airmen can do especially during times of humanitarian crisis and natural disasters. Airmen are prepared to meet the historical challenges of today and into the future.