MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- This year has gotten off to a great start! We have continued to get after the mission and take care of our members during the worst pandemic to hit the country in several decades. We have continued to develop ourselves and our teammates with professional military education classes and other developmental opportunities while meeting the expectations of our mission.
In addition, the wing received a visit from the Air Force Reserve Command commander, Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee and command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Timothy White, along with the First Sergeant Functional Area Manager, Chief Master Sgt. Travon Dennis. At the same time, we were visited by Air Education and Training Command commander Lt. Gen. Brad Webb and his command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Erik Thompson. While here, Scobee and White had the opportunity to visit with Airmen of the 908th Airlift Wing and recognize a few more of our outstanding performers other than our annual award winners.
During the same time we were able to celebrate the winners of our wing at the first ever virtual Annual Awards Banquet. These Airmen exemplify our core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. They were recognized as the best of the best by their peers during the ceremony.
With all that being said, we still have a lot of work ahead in 2021. We are preparing a portion of our members to conduct the largest deployment in the wing’s history…in a COVID rich environment. This isn’t an easy task. So far you have risen to the task, met and exceeded the expectations laid out before you.
We also have several boards that will be meeting in the next few months. The various developmental team boards, Command Chief Master Sergeant Screening Board, and the Stripes for Exceptional Performers II (STEP II) board will be meeting at various times from April to June. These boards are a tool to help vector members toward additional schools and opportunities to serve at levels of higher responsibility. These boards shouldn’t be taken lightly. They have been proven to be career changers for many members. Ensure that you are taking care of our teammates and assisting them with being considered for these opportunities.
Remember, this is the third month of the year. As we move throughout the rest of the year, continue to push and support each other to complete the task at hand. It isn’t going to be easy at all! In fact, it will be the hardest tasks that some of you complete in your entire career. When we safely bring all our deployers home later this year, we will at that time, take a pause and rest for a moment.
In closing, I cannot thank you enough for doing what you do every single day. Your commitment to the mission and the Air Force Core Values is what makes us the best of the best. Keep it in this perspective, we have a marathon to run from now until the end of the year. We are only on our first mile and have to stay motivated to continue the other 25 miles to finish strong. As always, it’s an honor to serve with each and every one of you.
“Readiness in Strength”