VIEW FROM TOP>>Celebrating our Patriots

By Brig. Gen. Rowayne A. Schatz, Jr.
314th Airlift Wing commander

Thursday we celebrated Patriot’s Day in memory of the nearly 3,000 Americans whose lives were lost in the terror attacks the morning of Sept 11. We also celebrated two of our own who died ensuring another Sept. 11 would never happen again. Our own Staff Sgt. Dustin Peters and Staff Sgt. John Self, who along with others in uniform, made the ultimate sacrifice fighting the Global War on Terror.

We can never adequately honor our patriots, but one way we can honor their sacrifice is to continually renew our determination and commitment to winning the Global War on Terror. We do that here at the Rock through our commitment to providing our nation with an unparalleled Combat Airlift capability. We remain the C-130 center of the universe, and with your consistent skill and professionalism, the Combat Airlift mission remains a power to be reckoned with.

On Tuesday, the Save a Life Tour visited our base and provided nearly 300 Airmen from Team Little Rock a virtual tour of the risks of driving while under the influence of alcohol. From the feedback I have heard, the presentation was excellent. I challenge all of you who attended to take the information back to your offices and shops and educate your co-workers on what you learned. If only one person makes the right choice not to drink and drive, you will have been successful.

Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Brinkley, 314th Airlift Wing command chief, and I also had the pleasure this week to take nearly 30 of our local civic leaders on a two-day tour of Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and Arnold AFB, Tenn. The tour was invaluable to increasing community support by sharing with them our Air Force history; showing them our current and future capabilities, our C-130 Combat Airlift training mission; and letting the meet the outstanding men and women who make up our Air Force.

By increasing community support for our mission, we increase our effectiveness and ensure we have the resource we need to train and deploy the world’s best C-130 Combat Airlifters.

On Sept. 19, we will be hosting a POW/MIA Recognition Luncheon at Hangar 1080. This is an incredible opportunity to further your understanding of your military heritage by honoring the military members who sacrificed to make this country great. I highly encourage everyone to attend. For more information, see page 4 of this week’s Drop Zone or contact your first sergeant by Monday.

Thank you for all the great things you’ve done and continue to do for our nation. Through our unyielding determination and our commitment to our heritage, community and mission, we champion the effort to keep America safe.
Combat Airlift!