Commander shares new mission statement with Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Col. Thomas Bergeson, 3rd Wing commander, shared the new 3rd Wing mission statements with Airmen during several commander calls throughout the day, Jan. 22.

"We're arctic warriors and we fly, fight and win," said Bergeson. "This air base has to be open 24 seven, 365 days a year, despite the elements. The enemy can never have an advantage."

The commander talked about the new mission statements during the commander's call.

3rd Wing's mission is to:

· Arctic Warriors... Fly, Fight and Win.

· Generate, deploy and employ combat mission ready air power.

· Maintain Elmendorf as a combat ready warfighting platform.

· Provide World-class support to our arctic warriors and families

· Develop professional Airmen.

Even though Alaska's freezing temperatures can interfere with the job at hand sometimes, the commander said, it is no excuse to let up. We have to be full throttle 100 percent of the time.

"Our ability to generate air power in this kind of environment sets us apart from anyone else in the Air Force," said Bergeson.

Bergeson talked to the audience about all the accomplishments they have made throughout the year like hosting our President of the United States, Secretary of Defense, Chief of Staff and our Pacific Air Forces commander.

We also helped put on the single largest airpower exercise in the world with Northern Edge. The exercise brought more than 6,000 people on a temporary duty assignment to Alaska.

During the base operation and readiness inspection we received a grade of excellent while deploying 100 percent of the aircraft, Airmen and pieces of equipment that we were tasked to deploy.

Also, throughout the year more than 11,000 sorties were flown along with 27,000 hours of accident-free flying.

He also praised the 3rd Medical Group for their excellent service, for seeing more than 238,000 patients.

After looking back on 2009 the commander said that his goal for 2010 was to have 100 percent zero discrepancy deployments.

"The wing should continue to aim to be the best, our goal is to keep getting better," said Bergeson.