Letter to Airmen: An honor and a privilege
By Honorable Michael Wynne , Former Secretary of the Air Force
/ Published July 02, 2008
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- To the Airmen of the United States Air Force, I salute you. Your dedication, motivation and commitment are nothing short of remarkable. You are America's sword and shield, defending the United States and its global interests by delivering sovereign options in air, space and cyberspace.
With watchful eyes and precision strike, you counter insurgents, enabling ground commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan to act freely. With humanitarian airlift, you expand our diplomatic options and serve as the face of American compassion in countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan, Burma and China. With unwavering vigilance, you are America's strategic backstop, deterring any who might seek to harm us. You instill a confidence among our Allies and Joint partners that only American air, space and cyberspace power can deliver. You embrace speed, precision and crisp action, dominating with advanced technology. It is your nature to think forward.
Every day, you impress me with your innovative spirit and impetus for action. You embrace new organizing constructs and the culture of empowerment, enhancing our warfighter edge. You accelerate new technologies to the field and create unparalleled interoperability for the Joint fight, assuring America's strategic advantage of technology dominance for future generations.
You infuse America's Air Force with a vector and speed that is nothing short of extraordinary, ensuring the United States is prepared for any challenge - now and in the future. Your energy and drive are contagious.
Ours is the profession of arms. We are entrusted by the American people and our national leaders to protect and defend the ideals embodied in our Constitution and thus secure our very way of life. Given this special trust and confidence, we hold ourselves to the highest standard of accountability. Our values of Integrity first, Service before self and Excellence in all we do form the bedrock of all of our actions.
My heart is filled with pride in the accomplishments of America's Airmen. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your 21st Secretary of the Air Force.
On behalf of Barb and I, our thoughts and prayers shall ever be with you, your families and the Nation that we serve. As always, the future of the Air Force rests in the best of hands - yours.