Remembering “Our” Role as Airmen

  • Published
  • By Col. Thomas Deale
  • 51st Fighter Wing commander
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Military bases, government buildings, colleges, offices, homes - all throughout the world, people will be remembering the sacrifice and aftermath of the events that occurred in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania eight years ago today. 

I extended my thoughts on this topic earlier today during our 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, but I want to remind you how important it is to take this day to reflect on your role as an Airman actively participating in the Global War on Terror we've been engaged in since September 11, 2001. 

Our number one priority here is Combat Readiness. 

Yes, there is the constant threat to our north requiring us to always be Ready to Fight Tonight, but Osan, for most of us, is a one-year stop on our way to a follow-on assignment that will last three to four years, an assignment that we will likely deploy out of several times. 

When we train here - be it for exercises, inspections or day-to-day mission requirements - it's with an eye toward making us better Airmen for the joint fight, not just for our potential fight here in Korea. 

Along with our second priority of Tour Normalization, our third priority at Osan is Developing Airmen. 

Yes, we are considered forward deployed here, but we need to be able to take advantage of the home-station amenities at Osan that many folks deployed to Southwest Asia and the Horn of Africa don't have. Tour Normalization has ensured that we have a myriad of these amenities on hand for you. 

Whether it's pursuing a bachelor's or advanced college degree through our education office, taking part in a professional development course or ensuring your eligible Airmen are able to attend our annual Airman Leadership School course, you should be able to take your time here as a "forward deployed" Airman and move on to your next assignment a better educated leader. 

Many of you have been on deployments since 9/11 and know that you can go days without accessing internet to take a course and months without thinking about the next step in PME. 

You also know you'll likely face those deployments again, and for our younger Airmen that first deployment is coming, so my best advice to you is to get involved in your education now. 

With everything that has happened since Sept. 11, 2001, some define this time as an age of terror, and there will continue to be struggles ahead of us in our duties around the world; however, you - the members of our nation's great military - will define these times with the professionalism and patriotism you exhibit every day. 

Thank you for your service and for your hard work. Your efforts have been and will continue to be outstanding and I am proud to lead such a great team. 

Mustang One...Leading the Charge!