A time for renewal, a time for change

  • Published
  • By Lt. Gen. Darren W. McDew
  • 18th Air Force commander
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  18th Air Force Letter to Airmen

To the Airmen of our great global mobility enterprise: thank you! In a time of uncertainty for our military and Nation, you have inspired your leaders, your fellow Airmen, and the American people with your unfailing commitment to the mission, your innovative solutions to our most pressing challenges, and your dedication to America.

A Time for Renewal, A Time for Change

In the coming weeks many of us will gladly say farewell to a long, cold Winter and welcome the warmth and hope of a new Spring. As the land around us undergoes its annual renewal, it also offers a time for us to consider our own, more personal one.

For months we've been besieged by a steady drumbeat of talk about seemingly insurmountable challenges: political instability and violence throughout the globe, budget crises here at home, and a future that many choose to paint with a dark brush. I am not one of them. In fact, as I look to the future of our Air Force and our Nation I do so with great optimism, not only because that is my nature but more importantly, because that is who we are as Mobility Airmen.

In the mobility world we often speak of looking toward the horizon, identifying potential challenges before they become problems, and finding innovative solutions to get the mission done as efficiently and effectively as possible. That attitude permeates everything we do: it is in the DNA of our mobility culture. It is also the reason why we know that we will ultimately be successful: it is who we are.

American business leader Thomas Watson Jr. once wrote that if an organization is to meet the challenge of the changing world, it must be prepared to change everything about itself except its core beliefs. As Airmen, our core beliefs are simple: integrity, service, and excellence. We will never yield on them or on our obligation to respect and support our wingmen. In this time of renewal, I ask that you reflect on these values and how they are part of your life. Understand and appreciate what it means to be an American Airman. There is no one in the world quite like us.

We must also willingly embrace change. You've heard it time and again, "flexibility is the key to airpower". That maxim has never been more true than today. It is not just an idea, it is an operational necessity. Our sister services, our Nation, and our allies appreciate what Mobility Airmen bring: that will not change. As a result, the capabilities we provide will remain in high demand. Our task then becomes finding better, smarter ways of getting the mission done.

And I have no doubt that you are up to that task ... as you have always been.

As snow gives way to green grass, take the time to renew your commitment to our values, but
also consider that like the world around us, change is something to be appreciated and capitalized on ... not feared.

Thank you for all you do. Our Nation needs you and appreciates you and I know you will continue to meet her expectations with excellence. I am proud of you - keep up the good work!

DARREN W. McDEW, Lieutenant General, USAF
Commander