MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- In Jan of 2021, Col. Drescher wrote “As challenging as 2020 was, 2021 will be even more challenging.” It turned out to be true. Our four aircraft came home from deployment last fall, but our last Airman just came home the third week of February. There is never a time that we don’t have someone from the 908th out doing the nation’s business, but this member’s return marked the conclusion of a Herculean effort, undertaken during a pandemic, while preparing for a mission change affecting a large portion of the wing.
I want to thank every Airmen in the 908th for their part in our success last year. Whether you deployed, helped prepare for others to deploy, backfilled for deployers’ duties here at home, or simply maintained readiness incase our nation called, YOU are responsible for the wing’s success.
While we share in the pride of a job well-done, we must remember not to rest on our success, but rather continue our tradition of excellence and preparing for the missions we know about, and also the missions we have yet to envision. That is the ethos of a Reserve Citizen Airman: to serve the country when called upon.
Whether it be a flu shot, yearly fitness test, or recurring training event, we must perform and maintain readiness if we occupy a position entrusted with such a calling. Never forget that you are a warfighter and readiness is your first priority.
Finally, I would also like to once again personally congratulate the wing’s 2021 Airman of the Year nominees and recipients. Several, if not all, of our wing members are equally deserving of earning this distinction, so to simply be nominated is an honor and reflects great credit. I’m extremely proud to re-announce those who won in their respective categories.
They are:
Airman: Senior Airman Logan McLin, 908th SFS
NCO: Staff Sgt. Mickey Lane, 908th AMXS
SNCO: Master Sgt. Aaron Bebernitz, 908th CES
1st Sgt: Master Sgt. Ashley Sexton, 25th APS
Civ Category III: Mr. Derek Shehee, 357th AS
We’ve had our work cut out for us over the past couple years. While future challenges may differ from our past experiences, I am confident that we will overcome those challenges with the same excellence that is forever ingrained in us here at the 908th Airlift Wing.
I am proud to serve alongside you.