Fly, fight and win in 2010 and beyond

by Brig. Gen. Mark Dillon

86th Airlift Wing commander


Happy 2010 to Team Ramstein! If 2009 was any indication, the 86th Airlift Wing’s “fly, fight, and win” mission here in Europe will keep growing in 2010.

FLY: In April we will receive our 14th and final C-130J Super Herc and become fully operational soon thereafter. Meanwhile, our guard and Reserve teammates in the 38th Airlift Squadron seamlessly added additional C-130E and H-crews and aircraft to support our J-model transition.

And making it look easy, our DV airlift fleet in the 76th AS and 306th AS routinely deliver our nation’s most important customers inside and outside the European Theater. Finally, throughout 2010 we will continue to fly and exercise with our wingmen in the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing to prepare for our operational readiness inspection this coming September.

FIGHT: We begin this year with more than 600 of our fellow Airmen in the wing deployed in the fight to Afghanistan and Iraq. Defenders, transporters, maintainers, operators, EOD, firefighters, ATC and dozens of others have answered the call. And, when needed, our medics’ laser-like focus bring our wounded warriors swiftly from the battle field to world class medical care.

WIN: One of the paths to victory in Iraq and Afghanistan runs through Germany. As our nation adds 30,000 additional troops in Afghanistan, you can expect our Ramstein tempo, as well as the 86th AW’s deployments and combat taskings, to increase.

Last year was a very busy year, and congratulations on a job well done. And this year will be even busier – and challenging. As the 86th AW mission continues to grow, staying focused is vital to winning. And for Airmen in the 86th, the keys to winning are flying and fighting.

Thank each and every one of you and your families for serving. Despite the challenges ahead I can think of no better team than the 86th Airlift Wing to execute our fly, fight and win mission in 2010 and beyond.