Vision Quest: Wing leadership pens new vision, mission statements

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Louis DiModugno
  • 512th Mission Support Group deputy commander
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  John F. Kennedy once said, "Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction." 

The spirit of those words is embodied in the 512th Airlift Wing's new mission and vision statements, which seek to channel the commitment and bravery of our Airmen toward a unified, worldwide goal. 

Our mission:
"Fly and fight by delivering airlift and support options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests." 

Our vision:
"Ready with unrivaled Airmen and global airlift for freedom's defense." 

You may ask yourself what was wrong with our old mission or vision statements. Some of you might not have known we even had a mission or vision statement. 

What's most important is that you know now, and that you understand the profound meaning behind these words. 

A unit needs its mission to be clearly defined so everyone--both inside and outside the organization--understands its purpose. To define our mission, we need to answer three questions: 

1. What do we do?
2. How do we do it?
3. For whom do we do it? 

The questions may seem simple, but they represent the complex, ever-changing global climate in which our military now operates. 

Since the Sept. 11 attacks, much has changed about how our wing--and the Air Force Reserve--does business. Those changes, coupled with the advent of the new National Security Personnel System, were catalysts for wing leadership to take a comprehensive look at our true purpose. 

We used to be responsible for recruiting, training, equipping and retaining Airmen for global strategic airlift. But since the Global War on Terrorism began, our wing and its members have been involved in worldwide support far beyond airlift. 

As I write this, almost 400 Liberty Wing members are on orders supporting various missions throughout Southwest Asia, to include our wing commander, who is serving in Baghdad, Iraq. These deployed Airmen are providing critical support through their experience and leadership. 

In 1997, the Air Force Reserve was given its own command separate from our active counterpart. Yet, we still share a common mission statement. It still boils down to the old adage, "To fly and to fight," an ideal reflected in the 512th's new mission statement. We fly and enable the fight. We do this through airlift and support options, and we do it for the United States of America and its global interests. 

Our vision statement represents the aspirations that embody our purpose. The first word of the statement, "Ready," was chosen by our leadership to emphasize the exemplary preparedness of our wing. This underlines all we do, from the civilians who enable our readiness to the trainers and functions that ensure our readiness. 

The invaluable resource that breathes life into that concept of readiness is our troops, our "unrivaled Airmen." 

This means you. 

Each and every one of you should aspire to a high level of excellence and professionalism. Accomplish this in all you do--keep your ancillary training up to date; ensure your fitness level is high and seek the uppermost level of training in your Air Force Specialty Code. 

To be ready! 

Each UTA, many of us attend retirements and the newcomers orientation. Our wing is constantly changing with a steady stream of outgoing personnel and the arrival of "new blood." Because of this constant change, we must always remember what our purpose is and what our aspirations are. We must also remember that we have one clear mission and one focused vision, both of which revolve around you--the unrivaled Airman.