Celebrate freedom safely

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. (S) Mark Dillon
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Happy Independence Day America! This weekend is a great opportunity to spend some much deserved time enjoying barbecues, picnics, parades and fireworks with family and friends celebrating our nation's 233rd year of freedom. As you celebrate freedom, it is important to keep in mind those past and present who have willingly sacrificed to inspire and safeguard freedom around the world. 

As one of these great Americans, you have helped bring about the most rapid expansion of democracy the world has have ever experienced. In fact, it is estimated that currently more than one-third of the world's countries are democratic, representing nearly half the world's population. Despite democracy's success, fanatical tyrants and terrorist organizations continue to threaten freedom and liberty around the world. As such, we stand tall with our coalition partners in defense of this threat of tyranny and repression. 

Team Travis Airmen play a key role in defense of freedom and justice every day. We do this by providing "global air mobility" via world-class airlift, aerial refueling, aeromedical evacuation, and global reach laydown. Regardless of your Air Force Specialty Code, your steadfast dedication and hard work enables lifesaving combat support and humanitarian missions. Like Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz says, "In our Air Force, everyone matters. We do not measure an individual's worth by their proximity to the target." 

Enjoy the holiday, but continue your safety focus. Summer holiday fun often involves high-risk activities. Front-line supervisors must safeguard our most valuable resource by evaluating the activities in which their Airmen participate. This can be accomplished using the "60th Air Mobility Wing Safety High Risk Activities Checklist." Everyone within the organization must take every conceivable action to ensure our family remains safe not only this holiday weekend, but every day. None of us want to lose a fellow Airman or loved one to a preventable accident. 

I am proud to serve with each and every one of you. Together with our joint and coalition partners we continue the legacy of the freedom inspired by our country's founding fathers 233 years ago this weekend. As modern day "patriots," you continue the charter outlined in the Declaration of Independence, and in doing so, bring hope and security to freedom-loving people around the world. Keep up the great work -- our founders would be proud of your accomplishments!