Army soldiers line up to board a C-130 aircraft.

NEWS

FRONT & CENTER: 2010 has already been a busy year

  • Published
  • By Col. Jay Pittman, Jr.
  • 302nd Airlift Wing commander
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  This year is already off to a running start. The Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti was a clear reminder of the need to be prepared to be called upon in a moment's notice. Within days of the earthquake, 302nd Airlift Wing aircraft and aircrews joined the humanitarian airlift effort by delivering water, supplies and evacuating medical patients from Haiti. The earthquake as well as our response were obviously unplanned events, but as Air Force Reservists, that is our mission - to provide support when called upon and to have the ability to respond within a moment's notice.

While 302nd AW Airmen deployed to Air Expeditionary Force Coronet Oak in Puerto Rico supporting Haiti relief missions, one of our Modular Airborne Firefighting aircrews was in Thailand teaching safe and effective aerial firefighting techniques to the Royal Thai Air Force. Meanwhile, the Logistics Readiness Squadron deployed to Hawaii's Hickam AFB for their annual tour. These are just a few of the Wing's major missions that took place early this year.

As a surge force, regardless of your unit's specific mission, we must be ready anytime, anywhere. Because of this I ask you to always keep the lines of communication open with your employers and families. Share with them what you're doing for our country and also let them know their support is appreciated.

The Wing has two special events planned for this summer, Employer Appreciation Day on July 9 and Family Day on Aug. 7. These events will help you share what you do here at the 302nd as well as provide recognition to your family and employer. Our Wing members are putting a lot of work into both events and I hope you'll consider participating in them.

Thank you for all you do. The Wing continues to demonstrate its ability to take on a high operations tempo and continues to meet challenges with great mission success. This is only possible because of our outstanding leaders, dedicated Airmen and that solid support our employers and families give to us.