Page 2 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 9-18-15

Desert Wings
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Our Air Force
68 years of guts, innovation and air superiority
by Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski
commander, AFMC
In 1911, a young Henry Arnold learned
to fly at the Wright Brothers aviation
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advocate of aviation research and devel-
opment, “Hap” Arnold went on to be-
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He made history.
In 1918, Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker shot
down 26 enemy aircraft over France during
World War I. His skill and bravery earned
him the Congressional Medal of Honor,
and he went on to become an innovative
aviation industry pioneer.
He made history.
In 1942, then-Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle
led 16 B-25 bombers, the Doolittle Raid-
ers, on a secret mission to bomb the Japa-
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Four F’s essential to life in military
by Chief Master Sgt. Mark Fousek
Travis AFB, Calif.
I have had a lot of my non-military friends ask me the
question, “How have you made it for 24 years in the mili-
tary?”
Looking back, I realized that I already had a form of what
the Air Force now calls Comprehensive Airman Fitness:
Mental, Social, Spiritual and Physical Fitness. I call it, the
four F’s: Family, Faith, Friends and Fitness (this last one
came about much later in my career).
Commentary September 18, 2015
facebook.com/EdwardsDesertWings
DWWDFNRQ3HDUO+DUERU7KH\PRGL¿HGWKHLU ing stealth aircraft that are invisible to our It is our people, military and civilian, who
“land-based” Army Air Corps planes and adversaries, the Air Force has always been have made our Air Force the greatest air
OHDUQHGWRÀ\WKHPIURPD1DY\DLUFUDIW at the forefront of our national defense. power in the world. Today, we rely on
carrier. 660,000 people who come from diverse
Our Air Force has evolved since 1947. experiences, cultures and communities
They made history. Today, we patrol the domains of not just throughout the United States. They truly
the air, but space and cyberspace, too. We represent a cross-section of America and
These pioneer Airmen, like countless are fielding the world’s most advanced it is their diversity that helps fuel our in-
others, demonstrated the world-changing ¿JKWHUDLUFUDIWWKH)ZKLOHDWWKHVDPH novation and commitment.
effects of aviation technology. They set time researching and developing ways to
high standards and relied on innovation LQFUHDVHDJLOLW\ÀH[LELOLW\SUHFLVLRQOH- Our Air Force heritage is a proud one,
and discipline to push the limits of their thality and persistence for our missions of and airpower remains an inherent part of
capabilities. Their guts, determination and the future. our nation’s history. The legacy of our air-
skill were recognized on Sept. 18, 1947, power pioneers – imaginative and innova-
when the Air Force became a separate ser- This is what we do in Air Force Mate- tive Airmen harnessing new technologies
vice following President Harry Truman’s riel Command: deliver and support war- and strategies — set the course for future
signing of the National Security Act earlier winning capabilities. When America calls air, space and cyberspace capabilities.
that year. on the Air Force, the Air Force turns to
AFMC. As we celebrate the Air Force’s 68th
This week, we celebrate the 68th birth- birthday, we realize our future is truly lim-
day of our Air Force — 68 years of amaz- But we must become better at what we itless. We must, and will, remain a force
ing technological advances, courageous do, for our world today is a complex mix that provides global vigilance, global reach
human endeavors and an ever-evolving of rogue states and radical groups bent on and global power.
capability that protects our freedoms. destroying basic freedoms we and other
nations hold dear. The best technologies And we will continue to make history.
don’t develop and operate on their own.
Family is different for everyone at different stages of life. ZHHNDQGWKDQNWKHPIRUWKHLUVXSSRUWDQGVDFUL¿FHRYHUWKH
Your family right now might be a spouse, parent, brother or years that enabled you to be successful at what you do.
sister, another extended family member that you are close
to, or all of the above. Friends come in all flavors as well: Old friends, new
friends and sort-of friends. You may have joined with a
My wife Dawn and I got married right before I joined the friend, or to get away from “those friends.”
Air Force. She is the backbone of our family and the reason
I have been successful in my career. We could have many assignments over the course of a
career and will potentially make a lot of friends across the
I didn’t worry about the “little things:” bills, grocery shop- country and world. More than likely, you will really connect
ping, laundry, etc. Never mind the fact that Dawn worked with a person or two, maybe military, maybe not, who really
outside our home as well as taking care of all of those “little
things.” Make it a point to call someone in your family this See ESSENTIAL, Page 4
Commander’s
Action Line
email: speak2cc@edwards.af.mil
The Commander’s Action Line gives all Airmen, re-
tirees, families and community members a direct link to
Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander.
The Action Line can be used to express constructive
points of view on the policies and procedures of the
base; discuss safety and security issues; and address
problems, concerns, or suggestions after traditional
methods have been exhausted.
The Commander’s Action Line should not be the
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commanders.
Action Line queries may be submitted by sending an
e-mail to speak2cc@edwards.af.mil with Commander’s
Action Line as the subject heading or by calling (661)
277-7325. Action Line submissions must be written in
a courteous and professional tone, and must include a
name, an e-mail address or an alternative method of
contact. The requestor’s contact information will not be
published in compliance with Privacy Act restrictions.
Any messages received without contact information will
not be routed, so please be sure to provide some method
for communication.