What has the Air Force done for you?

  • Published
  • By Major Jason Wolff
  • 436th Aerial Port Squadron
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  In today's environment of budget cuts, longer deployments and even longer work hours, it's easy to focus on the negative. I would like to focus on the positive and take a few minutes to look at what big Air Force has done for you.

The Air Force provides you the opportunity to serve your country, neighbors and fellow wingman. There have been numerous times being in uniform that a complete stranger will come up and thank you for your service. Your service provides the ability to fulfill missions that allow the United States to remain a beacon of hope to all those that seek freedom and lead as a world super power.

The Air Force provides 100 percent medical coverage, no cost training, tuition assistance for advanced educational opportunities and access to many other resources most people can't even comprehend. I challenge you to name another company that provides those benefits for all their entry-level positions and allows you to extend some of those benefits to your dependents for a minimal cost. That is just a small fraction of what big Air Force has done for you.

The mission at Dover Air Force Base is one of the most dynamic missions in the world! There is no doubt we do the job here better than anyone and have the awards to prove it over and over again.

What many people don't realize is that Dover AFB can only accomplish this because of you. You being here allows support for every type of mission you can imagine and the impact is made worldwide.

The question always comes up to who can handle the mission and who is going to make this mission a success. Haiti has an earthquake? Dover AFB. We are going to fight wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and need an air bridge to sustain our troops? Dover AFB. Who should test the new C5-M? Dover AFB. What about we fly over the North Pole and drop right into Afghanistan with supplies on an airplane? Doesn't that mean flying over the arctic and through Russian airspace? Dover AFB. Small problem in Libya and we need resupply now! Dover AFB. 18th Air Force commander conference needs to be somewhere that shows off the AMC mission. Dover AFB. Best place to bring back our fallen heroes with dignity, honor and respect. AFMAO and Dover AFB.

This list goes on and on, but only because you are here to make this happen. What else does you being at Dover AFB have to offer? You being here makes you an important part of everything listed above. It doesn't matter if you are helping to keep the dining facility clean, generating and loading the aircraft or the pilot landing the C-5/C-17 down range. You are important and excellence is the standard you have helped set here at Dover AFB, but we have to maintain it.

You should be striving for a 100 on your physical fitness test, volunteering in the community, pursuing higher education and supporting your family and friends. There are a lot of married people here, but there are also a lot of single people and together we are all part of the Dover AFB family. How big a part of you is invested in Dover AFB is up to you.

I recently had the honor of attending a retirement ceremony of a person who served 21 years in our great Air Force and had a stellar career. When the time came to speak on what was most memorable to him, it was clear it was always the people who made the difference. That difference is being made by you not just being here, but serving here. Thank you for your service at Dover AFB and I look forward to you making it even better.