Command Corner: May 23

  • Published
  • By Col. Eric Wydra
  • 436th Airlift Wing
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  We're one week closer to the operational readiness inspection, and after completing another round of preparatory exercises the 805th Air Expeditionary Wing and Team Dover is certainly on track for success. With only two months left, we need to work on refining and improving our processes, fix our previous mistakes, prevent future errors, maintain a winning attitude, and then execute a sound gameplan. If we can accomplish all of that, then I'm certain outstanding results are well within our reach. 

In conjunction with the deployment exercise, we completed a mandatory hurricane evacuation exercise in response to hurricane season, which starts on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. The evacuation route signs posted along Route 1 serve as a constant reminder that the Delmarva peninsula could easily fall within the path of one of these destructive natural disasters. Please ensure you and your family are prepared! 

For those available to witness the event, we received our eighth C-17 Globemaster III yesterday ... further enhancing our formidable airlift capacity and capability. Over the course of the next six months, we are expecting to receive the remaining five C-17s till we meet our full complement of 13 C-17 aircraft. These planes will complement the 18 C-5 Galaxies already stationed here to ensure that Team Dover continues to remain a prominent figure in our nation's efforts of saving lives and delivering freedom around the globe. 

Through an increased emphasis on safety, we can contribute to saving lives here at home as well. Today happens to mark the beginning of the 101 Critical Days of Summer and the start of the Memorial Day weekend. Many Team Dover members will be on the road, enjoying their much deserved four-day weekend, so we cannot over-emphasize safety as this weekend is historically one of the most dangerous in the command and the Air Force. Don't drink and drive, do wear the proper protective equipment if you're riding a motorcycle, and ensure you are well rested if you need to drive over a long distance. Do these things, and I'm certain we'll curtail a large portion of the potential mishaps that occur every year during the 101 Critical Days of Summer timeframe. 

Another important aspect of Memorial Day weekend is taking time to salute those in service now, and certainly those who came before us. I want to personally extend my gratitude and pay respect to the men and women who have given what President Lincoln called, "the last full measure of devotion" in service to this great country. Thank you for all you do, and continue to do for America on a daily basis! 

Honoring our past while continuing to protect our nation ... just two more reasons Team Dover is "America's Preeminent Expeditionary Airlift Team!"