MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE. Ala. -- How many times have we heard the comment “Flexibility is the key to Airpower?” I once had a First Sergeant that would begin and end every formation with that statement. When I heard him say those words, my first thoughts were that he is just towing the company line and being politically correct in his approach. I later learned the value in what he was telling us. Sitting here today, we find ourselves in a unique situation where flexibility is more important than ever.
If the past couple of months has shown us anything, it has shown us that we have to be more flexible in what we can do, are doing, and will be doing in order to ensure mission success. The COVID-19 situation has challenged us in ways that we wouldn’t have thought of a few months ago. We are now having to think “outside the box” to complete our mission. You, the Airmen of the 908th Airlift Wing have brought to us the bold and innovative ideas needed to complete your jobs through video conferencing, teleworking, and attending a virtual UTA. However, don’t let the ideas stop there! Allow yourself to be challenged every day so that you are forced to be more flexible than the day before. As I mentioned in the last edition of the Southern Flyer, live in the uncomfortable and vulnerable areas. That’s where growth and resiliency reside. If you do that, you will be ready when faced with challenges like we are facing today.
We aren’t out of the woods yet and we will face other challenges in the future. With that being said, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your hard work and dedication to service, and your willingness to be flexible in order to guarantee mission success. I am proud to serve alongside of you and know that as long as you are standing watch on the wall for America, we are in good hands. Remember, as my old First Sergeant would say, “FLEXIBILITY IS THE KEY TO AIRPOWER!”