Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson marks one year since becoming fully operations capable

  • Published
  • By Air Force Col. Robert Evans
  • JBER/673d ABW commander
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  What a year it has been. What a year it is.

We are a nation at war. A nation born of battle, we've never been in sustained combat for so long in our history. Nor, can we find historical precedence for our current economic woes.

Sustained combat power downrange, efficient operations at our installations back home. That is what our nation needs from us now, and that is what we deliver ... day in and day out.

One year into our joint base journey, I look back with tremendous pride in what we've accomplished, and I look forward with unbridled enthusiasm for what this team can do. Others see only adversity, but I see, instead, unbounded opportunity.

Those who came before us were finding ways to capitalize on the strong partnership between Soldiers and Airmen in Alaska even before the Deputy Secretary of Defense directed the joint bases to "expeditiously achieve the optimal level of long term savings, while preserving or enhancing the Department's warfighting capabilities."

The Fort Richardson and Elmendorf Air Force Fire Departments joined forces in 2002. Our families have been shopping together at the Joint Military Mall since 1999. For the last 16 years, our Joint Mobility Complex has deployed Soldiers and Airmen to faraway lands to defend our freedoms.

Today, Spartan paratroopers of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, jump from 3rd Wing C-17s. Further back, intrepid aviators fought the bitter cold in open cockpits, as they coaxed their bi-plane machines into the air from Elmendorf Field on Fort Richardson. They could not have imagined what would become of the partnership they helped forge between air and ground forces on the last frontier. Our story of joint partnership is not new.

Building on their legacy of innovation and teamwork, we are committed to writing a new chapter in joint warfighting at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

I believe joint basing is about joint war-fighting - period. It is about saving money where we can, so we can spend money where we have to: in the fight. We are a nation at war, we can do no less.

To the warfighter, the term "efficiency" has a bitter taste; we're about "effectiveness." But, perhaps ironically, it is efficiency, which yields the greatest combat effectiveness.

The classical strategist, Baron Jomini, exalted "mass at the decisive point" ... modern military planners understand "economy of force." Informed by both views, the approach we take at JBER is one of true integration.

In everything we do, we seek to build trust, mutual respect and understanding ... with our families, with our community, and with each other; Soldiers and Airmen, serving in the defense of our nation and the ideals we stand for.

We have much in common. We all raised our right hands and we swore the same oath. Our families sacrifice to enable our service, all of them.

Our bond is strong, and our support for one another is enhanced by our joint community, and our joint base. I believe this will be the most important benefit of joint basing ... stronger communities of service members, families, and those that support us.
This foundation, by itself, may not save any money. But, the trust, mutual respect and understanding it will foster will enable us to approach the challenges ahead with common purpose and shared burden. Simply, our increased effectiveness will be our key to efficiency. There can be no other way. America depends on us.

What a year it has been. What a year it will be! I challenge all of you to find new ways to build relationships, strengthen bonds, and better support our warfighters, so we can continue to fight and win our nation's wars.

I am proud to serve with you on America's premier joint base. Arctic tough, mission ready, family strong.