Joint Airmen have always been ‘all in’

Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Cui/U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center

Airmen at AMC’s three joint bases and at the two AMC bases where missions are evolving as a result of BRAC decisions are immersed in joint training and operations every day, ensuring America’s military remains the most efficient and most feared capability in the world. But we cannot ever forget the Airman culture as we continue to integrate with our joint partners.

Joint basing and joint service assures Department of Defense leadership servicemembers bring their skills and interoperability to the fight quicker and better than ever. Airmen are focused on airpower, and in AMC, we narrow that focus to supporting the global air mobility that combatant commanders require.

The Air Force has been joint since long before “all in” became the Chief of Staff’s directive, and we were expeditionary long before Expeditionary Combat Support became formalized. First as part of the Army Signal Corps and later Army Air Forces, Airmen deployed during World War I and II before we became a separate service in 1947. During the Cold War, we partnered with the Navy to comprise the feared nuclear triad that continues today to provide an umbrella of deterrence for America and our allies. Now, expeditionary Airmen provide combat support and airpower in every region of the globe.

Yet, even in a joint environment, Airmen are still part of the Air Force for a reason. Joint commanders know Airmen today are the best educated, most professional force in our service’s history. And that’s an important identifier we cannot afford to lose.

We are part of the youngest, most diverse service in DOD. We must remain focused on what makes us Airmen: our core values, our professionalism and our expertise. As you stand next to your counterparts and our joint partners, be proud of your membership in a highly professional organization where you may be supporting satellite launches one day and ground operations against insurgents the next.

We have a unique flexibility that allows us to don Air Force blue anywhere in the world and support global airpower and expeditionary missions as part of the joint team. But wherever you go, you still represent your service and your country. Continue to be the professionals and the Airmen our leaders depend on and that joint commanders need.