By Chris Rumley
314th Airlift Wing historian
Feb. 5, 1968, Vietnam, the surrounded Marine Fire Base at Khe Sanh.
A C-130E, piloted by Lt. Col. Howard Dallman of the 314th Troop Carrier Wing, broke through thick cloud cover over Khe Sanh at 300 feet above ground level. Finding communications at the base inoperable, and having never landed at Khe Sanh, Colonel
Dallman chose to make a radar approach down through the mountains and into the clouds.
Perhaps with less critical cargo he would have chosen to land another day. As it was, the 35,000 pound load of ammunition, artillery shells, and mortar fuses was desperately needed. Colonel Dallman, an experienced pilot with 45 combat missions flying B-17s during WWII who survived being shot down and then survived a German prisoner of war camp, was greatly respected by his fellow C-130 teammates flying in Vietnam. He was also the right man to be piloting aircraft 62-1817 on Feb. 5, 1968.
Once safely on the improvised runway, the C-130 became an easy target for communist forces from Khe Sanh’s surrounding high ground. Marines there called the C-130s “Mortar Magnets” for good reason. As the enemy mortars began raining down, heavy machine gun fire tore into the fuselage of the aircraft igniting wooden ammunition crates and spreading to the wooden pallets holding artillery rounds.
Fearing the fire would result in an explosion that could kill nearby Marines and shut down the resupply operation, Colonel Dallman and crew remained on the aircraft and backed it to the far end of the runway. As he maneuvered the aircraft, his crew members fought the fire now spreading to other pallets and filling the fuselage with flames. Through their combined efforts, the crew extinguished the flames and began quickly unloading the cargo as enemy mortar fire bracketed the aircraft.
With the load safely removed, Colonel Dallman taxied the entire length of the runway to replace a front landing gear tire damaged by shrapnel. At one point, still under heavy enemy fire, the navigator left the aircraft to ground guide Colonel Dallman through a congested area on the runway. With the tire replaced, the crew prepared to take off only to have an engine knocked out by yet another enemy mortar round. After some hasty repairs, the crew taxied out onto the runway and launched the C-130 back into the air taking several more hits to the aircraft on the way out.
For his decisive action under fire, Colonel Dallman was awarded the Air Force Cross. He was the first tactical airlift crew member to be so honored with the Air Force’s second highest award given for acts of extraordinary heroism- second only to the Medal of Honor. His crew all received Silver Stars. Aircraft 62-1817 returned her crew home safely and had enough holes needing repair to earn the nickname “Patches”.
After service in Vietnam, Patches eventually ended up with the 43d Airlift Wing at Pope Air Force Base from where she deployed to Southwest Asia flying missions in support of the War on Terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq. Patches was finally reunited with the 314th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base in June of 2008 and is still flying missions with the 19th Airlift Wing from Little Rock today. Thus far in October, Patches has completed 28 sorties here.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
COMMENTARY>>Remember why you joined
By Lt. Col. Scott Brown
19th Medical Group acting commander
I began my Air Force career, as did a number of my fellow officers, as an enlisted Airman. The year was 1984, and a co-worker at my civilian workplace had signed up with the Navy.
He was excited at the prospect of moving into a new and challenging career, at the opportunity to see other countries and experience new things. After listening to him and reading the information, it didn’t take me long to decide that the military seemed to be a great option for me. I’d attempted college one semester but just didn’t have the self-confidence or drive that it took to complete the classes, and my blue collar job at the time didn’t offer any real advancement opportunities or prospects for a stable career.
My wife and I talked it over, and the following week I met with an Air Force recruiter. Within a few short weeks, I’d completed the requirements for entry and locked in a guaranteed job as an information management specialist, all the while nervous and questioning why I would do this, especially at age 27. But my recruiter had offered an opportunity for me to build a real future for our family with the help of the Air Force while contributing to the strength of our nation as a member of the military, and I wasn’t going to pass it up.
Basic training was tough, especially having to leave my family behind, but during that time I learned things I wouldn’t have learned in most civilian jobs. I learned to push myself to the limit physically and mentally, and accomplish things I would never have thought possible. I learned that with hard work, I could build my endurance and complete all physical training requirements even though I hadn’t worked out regularly for years. I learned I was capable of completing academic goals and gained a level of self-confidence that would see me through every challenge that came my way. Most of all, I learned to take pride in the accomplishments of my teammates and the contributions and sacrifices each of us made in order to achieve our team’s goals. Despite the stress and the hectic pace, we knew we’d achieved those tough goals together and graduated as a team. Knowing we were now ready to put our new skills to work for the bigger Air Force team made all the hard work well worth the effort.
Fast forward 25 years and we’ve progressed from typewriters and hard-copy inboxes to computers and seemingly endless e-mails. Our nation has moved from a Cold War state to a state of war against terrorists. Many of us deploy regularly, leaving family behind and many times leaving short-manned work centers to cope with additional workload while we’re gone. We’re constantly asked to do more when we’re convinced we’ve reached our limits. But our nation and our Air Force team have a huge goal that they need our help with--to win the war.
This goal challenges each of us to recall our reasons for talking with our recruiters, to recall how tough basic training was and to remember the pride we felt when we graduated basic training as a team and then took on and overcame constant additional challenges. We will win the war and the pace will slow, and we will achieve that goal together.
Always take pride in your team’s and your accomplishments, use that self-confidence gained in basic training and keep a positive attitude. Remember why you joined.
19th Medical Group acting commander
I began my Air Force career, as did a number of my fellow officers, as an enlisted Airman. The year was 1984, and a co-worker at my civilian workplace had signed up with the Navy.
He was excited at the prospect of moving into a new and challenging career, at the opportunity to see other countries and experience new things. After listening to him and reading the information, it didn’t take me long to decide that the military seemed to be a great option for me. I’d attempted college one semester but just didn’t have the self-confidence or drive that it took to complete the classes, and my blue collar job at the time didn’t offer any real advancement opportunities or prospects for a stable career.
My wife and I talked it over, and the following week I met with an Air Force recruiter. Within a few short weeks, I’d completed the requirements for entry and locked in a guaranteed job as an information management specialist, all the while nervous and questioning why I would do this, especially at age 27. But my recruiter had offered an opportunity for me to build a real future for our family with the help of the Air Force while contributing to the strength of our nation as a member of the military, and I wasn’t going to pass it up.
Basic training was tough, especially having to leave my family behind, but during that time I learned things I wouldn’t have learned in most civilian jobs. I learned to push myself to the limit physically and mentally, and accomplish things I would never have thought possible. I learned that with hard work, I could build my endurance and complete all physical training requirements even though I hadn’t worked out regularly for years. I learned I was capable of completing academic goals and gained a level of self-confidence that would see me through every challenge that came my way. Most of all, I learned to take pride in the accomplishments of my teammates and the contributions and sacrifices each of us made in order to achieve our team’s goals. Despite the stress and the hectic pace, we knew we’d achieved those tough goals together and graduated as a team. Knowing we were now ready to put our new skills to work for the bigger Air Force team made all the hard work well worth the effort.
Fast forward 25 years and we’ve progressed from typewriters and hard-copy inboxes to computers and seemingly endless e-mails. Our nation has moved from a Cold War state to a state of war against terrorists. Many of us deploy regularly, leaving family behind and many times leaving short-manned work centers to cope with additional workload while we’re gone. We’re constantly asked to do more when we’re convinced we’ve reached our limits. But our nation and our Air Force team have a huge goal that they need our help with--to win the war.
This goal challenges each of us to recall our reasons for talking with our recruiters, to recall how tough basic training was and to remember the pride we felt when we graduated basic training as a team and then took on and overcame constant additional challenges. We will win the war and the pace will slow, and we will achieve that goal together.
Always take pride in your team’s and your accomplishments, use that self-confidence gained in basic training and keep a positive attitude. Remember why you joined.
COMMENTARY>>What does a person in trouble look like?
By Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Brinkley
19th Airlift Wing command chief
Can you spot someone who is having a trying time in their life?
There was a time that I would tell you I could pick them out quickly and then be able to render assistance. But the longer I live, the more I realize that people respond to stress differently, and I may not be as good as I thought at spotting warning signs.
Today we will have a series of commander’s calls on base; these come on the heels of losing four people associated with Air Mobility Command in the last week due to traffic fatalities.
So I began to ponder how can we internalize the concept of a community of caring. Three of the four individuals who died last weekend were ejected from their vehicle. You see a person in trouble could be someone you know who doesn’t take wearing seatbelts or personal protective equipment on motorcycles seriously. They could even be a person who calls themselves a friend, but doesn’t have the courage to say you’ve had enough to drink before you get behind the wheel. Col. Greg Otey, 19th Airlift Wing commander, and I had a conversation this week with someone who had the chance to do the right thing in being a good wingman and looked the other way.
Team Little Rock, we cannot be bystanders. We have to be active participants in the lives of those we serve with. As we continue to complete our mission here and abroad, it becomes more important that each of us takes personal interest in the people around us. Ten years ago someone I worked with committed suicide and no one saw it coming. He didn’t fit the profile I had been briefed on, yet he completed this tragic act.
So as we get to know people better, we will be able to see if they’re not themselves and help them work their way back to stability and growth.
Thank you for taking the time to care for those around you as we continue to be the guardians of freedom.
Combat Airlift!
19th Airlift Wing command chief
Can you spot someone who is having a trying time in their life?
There was a time that I would tell you I could pick them out quickly and then be able to render assistance. But the longer I live, the more I realize that people respond to stress differently, and I may not be as good as I thought at spotting warning signs.
Today we will have a series of commander’s calls on base; these come on the heels of losing four people associated with Air Mobility Command in the last week due to traffic fatalities.
So I began to ponder how can we internalize the concept of a community of caring. Three of the four individuals who died last weekend were ejected from their vehicle. You see a person in trouble could be someone you know who doesn’t take wearing seatbelts or personal protective equipment on motorcycles seriously. They could even be a person who calls themselves a friend, but doesn’t have the courage to say you’ve had enough to drink before you get behind the wheel. Col. Greg Otey, 19th Airlift Wing commander, and I had a conversation this week with someone who had the chance to do the right thing in being a good wingman and looked the other way.
Team Little Rock, we cannot be bystanders. We have to be active participants in the lives of those we serve with. As we continue to complete our mission here and abroad, it becomes more important that each of us takes personal interest in the people around us. Ten years ago someone I worked with committed suicide and no one saw it coming. He didn’t fit the profile I had been briefed on, yet he completed this tragic act.
So as we get to know people better, we will be able to see if they’re not themselves and help them work their way back to stability and growth.
Thank you for taking the time to care for those around you as we continue to be the guardians of freedom.
Combat Airlift!
COMMENTARY>>Commander’s Action Line: Bugged by insect bites
Question:
I have recently moved into base housing after living in Cabot for six months. While living in Cabot, I don’t think anyone in my family received mosquito or bug bites. However, since moving into base housing, we cannot seem to keep them off of us. I was wondering if this concern is being addressed or if you could tell me what is being done to try to keep the mosquito population down?
Answer:
Living and working in a lakeside community has the recreational advantages of fishing and being close to nature. However, the lakes do tend to attract mosquitoes, especially in the summer months and during times of heavy rainfall. Little Rock AFB has received an abundance of rain this year -- 20 inches more than average -- which exacerbates mosquito issues.
The mosquito spraying season in Arkansas ends once the temperature drops below 50 degrees in the evenings. The mosquito population should be quickly reducing now since we’ve had several nights where the temperature has dropped into the 40s. Thank you for allowing me to address your concern.
In the future, if the mosquito problem is in family housing, call 983-9050 to report the problem. If it’s outside of base housing, call the 19th Civil Engineering Squadron customer service desk at 987-6553 or 987-6554, is the correct office to call to report a mosquito problem on base.
They will submit a work order to the 19th CES entomology shop. Entomology then contacts public health, who conducts a mosquito count of the requested area.
If public health personnel confirm the count is high enough to warrant a chemical application, Entomology will spray the area in question.
I have recently moved into base housing after living in Cabot for six months. While living in Cabot, I don’t think anyone in my family received mosquito or bug bites. However, since moving into base housing, we cannot seem to keep them off of us. I was wondering if this concern is being addressed or if you could tell me what is being done to try to keep the mosquito population down?
Answer:
Living and working in a lakeside community has the recreational advantages of fishing and being close to nature. However, the lakes do tend to attract mosquitoes, especially in the summer months and during times of heavy rainfall. Little Rock AFB has received an abundance of rain this year -- 20 inches more than average -- which exacerbates mosquito issues.
The mosquito spraying season in Arkansas ends once the temperature drops below 50 degrees in the evenings. The mosquito population should be quickly reducing now since we’ve had several nights where the temperature has dropped into the 40s. Thank you for allowing me to address your concern.
In the future, if the mosquito problem is in family housing, call 983-9050 to report the problem. If it’s outside of base housing, call the 19th Civil Engineering Squadron customer service desk at 987-6553 or 987-6554, is the correct office to call to report a mosquito problem on base.
They will submit a work order to the 19th CES entomology shop. Entomology then contacts public health, who conducts a mosquito count of the requested area.
If public health personnel confirm the count is high enough to warrant a chemical application, Entomology will spray the area in question.
TOP STORY > >GREENING LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE
Article by Airman 1st Class Rochelle Clace • Photos by Staff Sgt. Chad Chisholm
Airmen from the 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron’s Fuels Management Flight keep the fuel flowing for combat airlifters by leading the way in the testing and fielding of more economical, environmentally friendly and sustainable aviation and ground fuels.
The base uses a lot of fuel to power successful operations as the world’s premier C-130 base. In order to maintain the base’s mission of answering the call to fly, fight and win, wherever combat airlift is needed, the fuel must keep flowing and the need to pursue less hazardous, environmentally safe fuels is higher than ever.
The fuels management flight has been selected to test two types of aviation fuel in an effort to save money and the environment.
“We’re the only base in the Air Force simultaneously testing the two types of aviation fuels,” said Senior Master Sgt. Donald Graham, 19th LRS fuels flight chief.
The first is the commercial grade Jet A. This fuel is cheaper and more common throughout the aviation industry; it’s a straight petroleum-based fuel.
“The money-saving difference is the potential for less additives. Fewer additives mean less hazardous, less expensive fuel,” said Sergeant Graham.
“Jet A becomes [similar to] JP-8 when we receive it and mix three different additives,” said Airman 1st Class Clinton Anderson, a 19th LRS fuels distribution operator. A static dissipater, a corrosion inhibitor and lubricity improver, and a fuels system icing inhibitor all of which meet military specifications.
“The theory is that if we can remove the additives, we can save the Air Force up to four cents per gallon with an estimated annual savings of $40 million” in the United States, said Airman Anderson.
Although fuel handling procedures for mechanics, fuel handlers and fuel system maintenance personnel do not change, the Air Force has the possibility of reducing the production of hazardous waste by eliminating the fuel system icing inhibitor from bulk fuel tank bottoms.
The second type of aviation fuel the base is testing is synthetic jet fuel, called SPK. It’s designed to reduce dependency on foreign oil.
“[This fuel] is derived from coal or natural gas by a 1920’s process known as Fischer Tropsch Synthesis. We are testing a blend of 50 percent JP-8 and 50 percent synthetic,” said Airman 1st Class Ronnie Miller, a 19th LRS fuels distribution operator.
“That means we can buy 50-percent less foreign oil if we adopt this type of fuel,” said Sergeant Graham.
The Air Force is dedicated to developing and implementing fuels which are better for the environment, are based on renewable resources, reduce dependence on foreign oil and save money.
The 19th LRS led the way in implementing successful E85 and biodiesel operations for ground equipment, and are blazing a path for the implementation of SPK and Jet A fuels. E85 is a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Biodiesel is 80 percent diesel and 20 percent organic byproduct, such as recycled cooking grease from restaurants.
“Our efforts here will provide an Air Force-wide source of information on how these aviation fuels will affect aircraft, pumping systems and refueling vehicles,” said Sergeant Graham.
The Air Force consumed almost 2.5 billion gallons of aviation fuel in fiscal year 2007 at a cost of almost $5.6 billion, according to Air Mobility Command. Aviation fuel accounted for approximately 81 percent of the total Air Force energy costs.
Airmen from the 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron’s Fuels Management Flight keep the fuel flowing for combat airlifters by leading the way in the testing and fielding of more economical, environmentally friendly and sustainable aviation and ground fuels.
The base uses a lot of fuel to power successful operations as the world’s premier C-130 base. In order to maintain the base’s mission of answering the call to fly, fight and win, wherever combat airlift is needed, the fuel must keep flowing and the need to pursue less hazardous, environmentally safe fuels is higher than ever.
The fuels management flight has been selected to test two types of aviation fuel in an effort to save money and the environment.
“We’re the only base in the Air Force simultaneously testing the two types of aviation fuels,” said Senior Master Sgt. Donald Graham, 19th LRS fuels flight chief.
The first is the commercial grade Jet A. This fuel is cheaper and more common throughout the aviation industry; it’s a straight petroleum-based fuel.
“The money-saving difference is the potential for less additives. Fewer additives mean less hazardous, less expensive fuel,” said Sergeant Graham.
“Jet A becomes [similar to] JP-8 when we receive it and mix three different additives,” said Airman 1st Class Clinton Anderson, a 19th LRS fuels distribution operator. A static dissipater, a corrosion inhibitor and lubricity improver, and a fuels system icing inhibitor all of which meet military specifications.
“The theory is that if we can remove the additives, we can save the Air Force up to four cents per gallon with an estimated annual savings of $40 million” in the United States, said Airman Anderson.
Although fuel handling procedures for mechanics, fuel handlers and fuel system maintenance personnel do not change, the Air Force has the possibility of reducing the production of hazardous waste by eliminating the fuel system icing inhibitor from bulk fuel tank bottoms.
The second type of aviation fuel the base is testing is synthetic jet fuel, called SPK. It’s designed to reduce dependency on foreign oil.
“[This fuel] is derived from coal or natural gas by a 1920’s process known as Fischer Tropsch Synthesis. We are testing a blend of 50 percent JP-8 and 50 percent synthetic,” said Airman 1st Class Ronnie Miller, a 19th LRS fuels distribution operator.
“That means we can buy 50-percent less foreign oil if we adopt this type of fuel,” said Sergeant Graham.
The Air Force is dedicated to developing and implementing fuels which are better for the environment, are based on renewable resources, reduce dependence on foreign oil and save money.
The 19th LRS led the way in implementing successful E85 and biodiesel operations for ground equipment, and are blazing a path for the implementation of SPK and Jet A fuels. E85 is a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Biodiesel is 80 percent diesel and 20 percent organic byproduct, such as recycled cooking grease from restaurants.
“Our efforts here will provide an Air Force-wide source of information on how these aviation fuels will affect aircraft, pumping systems and refueling vehicles,” said Sergeant Graham.
The Air Force consumed almost 2.5 billion gallons of aviation fuel in fiscal year 2007 at a cost of almost $5.6 billion, according to Air Mobility Command. Aviation fuel accounted for approximately 81 percent of the total Air Force energy costs.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
COMMENTARY>>Consider the consequences before you act
By Col. Donald Dickerson
314th Maintenance Group commander
Every day, we make thousands of decisions, most with very little conscious thought. If I asked you if you wanted to go to lunch today, you’d probably decide and answer immediately.
We give other decisions, like buying a new vehicle or home, a great deal of careful deliberation.
Unless it’s obviously of great magnitude, how often do you stop and consider the consequences of your decisions? Even the decisions we make in the blink of an eye can have life changing, sometimes life ending impact.
On Labor Day weekend some years back, two Airmen in the squadron I commanded made a decision to go race their cars in the middle of the night on a straight stretch of road near our base. Two Airmen from other squadrons elected to ride along.
After several runs down a quarter-mile course they’d measured and marked with cones, they stopped to chat about their performance.
After the conversation, they got in their cars to go back to base. One driver decided he wasn’t through racing and accelerated to more than 110 mph. He went off the right side of the road, overcorrected, shot off the left side of the road, spun and impacted a tree while moving backward at more than 80 mph. His 19-year old passenger died immediately.
The driver died in the emergency room, right in front of me, a few hours later.
Do you think the driver would have made a different decision had he spent more than a second thinking about the consequences before he chose to press the gas pedal to the floor?
Would the passenger have chosen to go racing with them had he given the decision more thought? We’ll never know.
How often have you made a decision to do something like that without considering what could go wrong?
Countless times since that terrible night, I’ve dealt with people who were facing failing marriages, financial crisis, career problems or injuries because of their failure to think before they acted.
I’m baffled when I watch people who spend five minutes trying to decide what to order at Starbucks make a decision to do something so risky it puts their future in jeopardy without a second thought.
Every decision we make has consequences. Think about those consequences before you act and encourage those around you to do the same. Spontaneity is great, but so is not going through life thinking how much better it would be if only you had thought before making a bad decision.
314th Maintenance Group commander
Every day, we make thousands of decisions, most with very little conscious thought. If I asked you if you wanted to go to lunch today, you’d probably decide and answer immediately.
We give other decisions, like buying a new vehicle or home, a great deal of careful deliberation.
Unless it’s obviously of great magnitude, how often do you stop and consider the consequences of your decisions? Even the decisions we make in the blink of an eye can have life changing, sometimes life ending impact.
On Labor Day weekend some years back, two Airmen in the squadron I commanded made a decision to go race their cars in the middle of the night on a straight stretch of road near our base. Two Airmen from other squadrons elected to ride along.
After several runs down a quarter-mile course they’d measured and marked with cones, they stopped to chat about their performance.
After the conversation, they got in their cars to go back to base. One driver decided he wasn’t through racing and accelerated to more than 110 mph. He went off the right side of the road, overcorrected, shot off the left side of the road, spun and impacted a tree while moving backward at more than 80 mph. His 19-year old passenger died immediately.
The driver died in the emergency room, right in front of me, a few hours later.
Do you think the driver would have made a different decision had he spent more than a second thinking about the consequences before he chose to press the gas pedal to the floor?
Would the passenger have chosen to go racing with them had he given the decision more thought? We’ll never know.
How often have you made a decision to do something like that without considering what could go wrong?
Countless times since that terrible night, I’ve dealt with people who were facing failing marriages, financial crisis, career problems or injuries because of their failure to think before they acted.
I’m baffled when I watch people who spend five minutes trying to decide what to order at Starbucks make a decision to do something so risky it puts their future in jeopardy without a second thought.
Every decision we make has consequences. Think about those consequences before you act and encourage those around you to do the same. Spontaneity is great, but so is not going through life thinking how much better it would be if only you had thought before making a bad decision.
COMMENTARY>>Choosing to be uncommon
By Capt. Robert Shaw
19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander
One makes thousands of decisions every day. Whether to get out of bed in the morning, to stop at the next stop sign, to do physical fitness training today, to uphold the Air Force’s core values today and many more.
It sounds easy right? Well that isn’t always the case. The decisions an individual makes every day can have a profound effect.
They can both positively and negatively effect your own life and career as well as the lives and careers of those you care about.
These decisions along with the values, attitudes, ambitions and allegiances to which one adheres, and how we respond to adversity are how one can become uncommon.
When Coach Cal Stoll told his University of Minnesota freshman football team “Success is uncommon, therefore not to be enjoyed by the common man,” it really spoke to Tony Dungy. Dungy carried that mantra with him through his days as a student, as an NFL player and as a Super Bowl-winning coach. He realized early on that success doesn’t come easy and requires one to make the right decisions. Throughout Dungy’s playing and coaching career he lived life with purpose, character, integrity and courage, and he knew there was more to life than football.
Coach Dungy believed his primary job was building men worthy of being role models to a nation of boys who look up to them. He built men with confidence and humility who knew the value of family and faith. The thing that impressed me about Dungy is he stuck to his principles and values even through the suicide of his teenage son and countless other monumental hurdles in his life. I’m not saying he’s perfect, no one is; but he strove everyday to do the right thing for his wife, children, players, coaches, and friends. All the while understanding that his life was more than football; he realized that in his position he could positively affect the lives of many. It wasn’t about him.
So what does it take to be uncommon? It’s about doing the right thing, all the time; whether you’re on base, off base, on leave or TDY. It’s living the Air Force core values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do 24/7/365. Not because the Air Force or your supervisor want you to, but because you know it’s the right thing to do for you and those important people who surround you. Your family, friends, and coworkers all benefit because you strive for excellence and integrity. Your example and actions will not only continue to make the U.S. Air Force the world’s most capable and feared Air Force, but will also make your career a rewarding one and give you a life of purpose.
I believe many of the life lessons gleaned from Tony Dungy’s book, “Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance,” transcend football and are very applicable to all of us in the Air Force. We are all role models and heroes and people watch what we do on and off duty. We can quickly be scrutinized for improper behavior or actions, or worse, be punished.
The next time you’re faced with a tough decision, think about the difference between the common person’s choice and the uncommon person’s choice. Being uncommon isn’t always easy and requires taking an uncommon path. Dungy passionately believes that there is a different path to significance, a path characterized by attitudes, ambitions, and allegiances that are all too rare but uncommonly rewarding.
So ... are you ready to be uncommon?
19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander
One makes thousands of decisions every day. Whether to get out of bed in the morning, to stop at the next stop sign, to do physical fitness training today, to uphold the Air Force’s core values today and many more.
It sounds easy right? Well that isn’t always the case. The decisions an individual makes every day can have a profound effect.
They can both positively and negatively effect your own life and career as well as the lives and careers of those you care about.
These decisions along with the values, attitudes, ambitions and allegiances to which one adheres, and how we respond to adversity are how one can become uncommon.
When Coach Cal Stoll told his University of Minnesota freshman football team “Success is uncommon, therefore not to be enjoyed by the common man,” it really spoke to Tony Dungy. Dungy carried that mantra with him through his days as a student, as an NFL player and as a Super Bowl-winning coach. He realized early on that success doesn’t come easy and requires one to make the right decisions. Throughout Dungy’s playing and coaching career he lived life with purpose, character, integrity and courage, and he knew there was more to life than football.
Coach Dungy believed his primary job was building men worthy of being role models to a nation of boys who look up to them. He built men with confidence and humility who knew the value of family and faith. The thing that impressed me about Dungy is he stuck to his principles and values even through the suicide of his teenage son and countless other monumental hurdles in his life. I’m not saying he’s perfect, no one is; but he strove everyday to do the right thing for his wife, children, players, coaches, and friends. All the while understanding that his life was more than football; he realized that in his position he could positively affect the lives of many. It wasn’t about him.
So what does it take to be uncommon? It’s about doing the right thing, all the time; whether you’re on base, off base, on leave or TDY. It’s living the Air Force core values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do 24/7/365. Not because the Air Force or your supervisor want you to, but because you know it’s the right thing to do for you and those important people who surround you. Your family, friends, and coworkers all benefit because you strive for excellence and integrity. Your example and actions will not only continue to make the U.S. Air Force the world’s most capable and feared Air Force, but will also make your career a rewarding one and give you a life of purpose.
I believe many of the life lessons gleaned from Tony Dungy’s book, “Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance,” transcend football and are very applicable to all of us in the Air Force. We are all role models and heroes and people watch what we do on and off duty. We can quickly be scrutinized for improper behavior or actions, or worse, be punished.
The next time you’re faced with a tough decision, think about the difference between the common person’s choice and the uncommon person’s choice. Being uncommon isn’t always easy and requires taking an uncommon path. Dungy passionately believes that there is a different path to significance, a path characterized by attitudes, ambitions, and allegiances that are all too rare but uncommonly rewarding.
So ... are you ready to be uncommon?
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