STARS: Commander shares expectations

  • Published
  • By Col. Randal L. Bright
  • 512th Airlift Wing commander
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the 512th Airlift Wing for the great change of command ceremony and the warm and hospitable welcome to Dover Air Force Base. It is with great pleasure and pride that I assume command of this great wing. 

You should be proud of the accomplishments that you have done over the years as well as the accomplishments that you are doing as you this month's Liberty Press. 

For those that may not have made it to the change of command ceremony, I have five basic principles that can be summed up with the acronym STARS. This stands for safety, training, attitude, readiness and standards.

Safety:
We must be safe in everything we do here at our job, at home and at our civilian jobs.

Training:
You must take every opportunity to get all of the training you can to make you as well prepared to do your job and it's my responsibility to ensure you get the training you need.

Attitude:
We must have a good and positive attitude. Bad attitudes are disruptive to good order and discipline, camaraderie and morale.

Readiness:
We must be ready to do our jobs at any given moment; therefore, we must be trained and prepared to go when the call comes. This also extends to our families and civilian employers; we must have them prepared as well, so we may go forward when needed by the nation. 

Standards:
Very simply, the Air Force core values: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. We will uphold these standards. 

If you can remember STARS, then you know what I stand for. 

On the July UTA, we will be holding our wing family picnic and our annual Employer Appreciation Day. The purpose of this event is to thank you for the dedication and work you have done and are still doing in the Global War on Terrorism, to thank your families for the sacrifices they have suffered during your performance of your duty, and to thank your employers for allowing you to perform your duty. 

I thank those wing members who invited their employers to participate in Employer Appreciation Day, and invite all Liberty Wing members to extend an invitation to their familities so they can enjoy the picnic and the day's activities. 

Again, thank you for the warm welcome, and I am honored to be your commander.