VIEW FROM TOP>>We are all Airmen

By Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Brinkley
19th Airlift Wing Command Chief

To continue to maintain unrivaled Combat Airlift for America…always, we must rely on Airmen of many shapes and backgrounds. Late Sunday night a substantial amount of combat airlifters departed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Yet, without the efforts of the total force, none of this would have been possible.

Our active duty, guard and reserve forces train and execute our mission as one cohesive team. Also, if you look at the vast amount of support we receive from those Airmen who don’t wear the uniform, it becomes obvious that the term Airman is broad in scope. I marvel at the dedication of the civilians who ensure issues from training to personnel support are effectively managed.

Airmen from active duty and contract services defend our installation with pride and vigilance. Airmen in and out of uniform ensure the force is fit and ready by providing world class medical care. The families who keep the home front steady in absences due to deployment are invaluable Airmen. As Team Little Rock opens its gates to hundreds of thousands of visitors this weekend, all of our Airmen will work together to ensure a great air show.

Even our local community leaders who have opened their hearts while providing resources to our installation can count themselves as Airmen that we rely on. You see without the support of everyone, our mission would be degraded and compromised.

At the end of the day our nation is counting on every Airman out there to ensure we continue to deploy and train the world’s best Combat Airlifters. I hope that each one of you can see where you fit into our noble mission. I and my family consider it an honor to serve alongside such phenomenal Airmen.
Combat Airlift!