Former LRS leader says farewell

  • Published
  • By Maj. Robin Hill
  • 71st Logistics Readiness Squadron
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  It's hard to believe I arrived at Vance Air Force Base more than two years ago. As I depart and reflect back on my assignment here, thoughts of the upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection, this special base and superior community continue to circle around in my mind. I've learned a lot over the course of two years that will make me a better Airman and can have a direct impact on how our missions succeed and fail.
I recently spoke to my best friend from high school, Chief Warrant Officer Fred Dunlap, who recently received his second Purple Heart. Each medal represents an unsuccessful mission of Iraqi insurgents and another opportunity for him to hold his young daughter. His story is similar to another soldier I encountered last year.
I was honored in August to hear a riveting speech from a U.S. Army Ranger. Staff Sgt. Matt Eversmann learned first hand about duty, honor and country when he was thrust into a leadership role in the heat of battle. Planning a quick prisoner extraction, he would have to overcome great odds to adapt to a new mission and try to extract aircrews from Blackhawk helicopters that had been shot down in Somalia.
The one thing both of these American heroes have in common is their dedication to duty and their extraordinary passion for training. They insisted on their troops frequently training, drilling and exercising their skills to be ready, not if, but when they were called upon. Both knew that in the heat of battle when bullets are whistling by your head, your instincts automatically take over. Your life and the lives of your team depend on what you have hidden deep inside of you from your constant training. You will not be able to learn and execute your job while the inspector general is looking over your shoulder. ORIs aren't an on-the-spot matter of life and death, but what you have hidden inside of you from all of your training and exercises will determine your success.
I recently had the privilege of deploying to southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. One of the most important words I learned while there was focus. It is imperative you remain focused on your mission and what you have to do. Simply put, losing focus can breed complacency, and complacency will cost lives, maybe yours. Chief Dunlap told me of how he had to switch seats with his humvee driver once. Arriving at a certain location, the young man simply was not used to seeing human carnage surrounding him. He was dumbfounded. The chief took over the wheel and remained focused on what he had to do. If his truck would have stopped in that spot for more than a few seconds, many more lives could have been lost that day. Remember to keep training hard and remain focused on your mission whether you're training our future front-line pilots or supporting the ones who do. Ask yourself the question, "What will I do when my instincts kick in?" Your answer could be the difference in an outstanding, excellent or satisfactory ORI rating.
Finally, I'd like to pay a special tribute and take my hat off to the outstanding men and women of the 71st Logistics Readiness Squadron. I take great pride in seeing how the members of the LRS and our contract teammates continue leaning forward to ensure the morale, welfare and quality of life for Team Vance and their families is kept at the highest level possible. It's been my honor to be a part of your team. I wish you all good luck and Godspeed.