Enlisted Perspective: Excellence in All We Do

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Rodney McKinley
  • Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  These are challenging times for the Air Force. This is not the first time our Air Force has faced challenges. Airmen confronted challenges during World War II, such as when the Doolittle Raiders launched their B-25B bombers from a tiny aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean to strike at Tokyo, Japan. All 16 of these B-25Bs were lost on the mission, with 11 crewmembers killed or captured. 

We were challenged again on Sept. 11, 2001, and we have responded with Airmen fulfilling more than 524,000 deployments while we have flown more than 1 million Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom sorties. 

Airmen today deal with their own unique challenges. Every explosive ordnance disposal technician who approaches an improvised explosive device, every aircrew member who boards our aircraft, every joint terminal attack controller who crouches beyond the front lines to transmit coordinates for a strike, these Airmen, and many like them, are putting their lives on the line for America and their comrades-in-arms. 

Think of the challenges faced by our critically wounded warriors. Many of them are struggling with losses of their eyesight, hearing or limbs. For these heroes, oftentimes simply eating a meal or standing up becomes a significant obstacle. 

We should always remember the 55,000 Airmen we have lost since World War I. We must make it our solemn duty to honor them, and we do this by being the absolute best Airman we can, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in and out of uniform and no matter the duty we're asked to perform. Think also about the trials of the mothers, fathers and families of our Airmen warriors lost in this war. These parents and families struggle with the knowledge that their loved one is gone, yet the pain is tempered by knowing their sacrifice was for our nation's cause. 

Despite turbulent times, Airmen always have important duties to perform. Each and every job is critical and Airmen must remain focused on the job at hand. We must give every task our most careful attention to detail. It's imperative for every Airman to perform their duties to our high Air Force standards and continue to concentrate on safety. Our core values of Integrity First, Excellence in all We Do and Service before Self should guide our every action to ensure we have the correct focus. Whenever we walk into our workplace, whether in a hangar at home station or an observation tower overlooking a forward operating post in Iraq or Afghanistan, we simply must do our best. 

I'm proud to be an American Airman, and I know you are too. I ask all Airmen to forge ahead with your heads held high and your focus on being the best Airman you can be. Our country, our leaders, and our calling demand this dedication from each of us.