12th Air Force commander says "thank you" for succesful year

  • Published
  • By Lt. Gen. Norman Seip
  • 12th Air Force
To the Airmen and civilians of 12th Air Force,

July seventh marks my one-year point as your commander, and in that time 12th Air Force has faced a number of challenges, including numerous short-notice deployments, high-visibility exercises- all during a period of force reductions. In the face of these difficulties, 12th Air Force and its subordinate units have always been up to the task and continue to accomplish the mission professionally day in and day out.

I am impressed by the superior work your units continue to do around the world in support of the Global War on Terror. Your professionalism, sacrifices and dedication to the mission continue to make 12th Air Force what it is today - a world-class organization, led and manned by world-class Airmen.

My vision for 12th Air Force from the start has been to fly, fight and win the Global War on Terrorism, to take care of our people, and to accomplish the mission with new and changing technologies.

I am proud to say you have supported this vision and have done it well.

Since last July, 12th Air Force filled more than 10,000 deployments in support of operations around the world. 12th Air Force Airmen have flown and supported over 34,000 combat flying hours, dropped over 1,100 tons of munitions, and expended over 55,000 20 and 30 mm rounds while fighting the Global War on Terror. While keeping up this high ops tempo, we're ensuring missions critical to our success here at home are continuing to operate without fail. 12th Air Force's safety numbers were better in 2006 than they have ever been with lower Class A flight and ground mishaps and a fatality-free 101 Critical Days of Summer period, a first for 12th Air Force. This is truly commendable.

Our Airmen are making history with their professionalism and courage. SSgt Earl Covel of the 1st Air Support Operations Group was recently awarded the Silver Star for his actions while deployed. The 28th Bomb Wing was the lead unit for a very successful Exercise RED FLAG-ALASKA 07-01. We recently stood up the 432d Wing, the first ever Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) wing, at Creech AFB. The 366th Fighter Wing won the CINC Installation Excellence Award for the entire Air Force. The 355th Wing became the 355th Fighter Wing and also began the transition from the A-10A to the A-10C. The 49th Fighter Wing retired the first six of what will be all of its F-117 Nighthawks in preparation for the arrival of the F-22. 7th Bomb Wing personnel forward deployed a detachment of B-1s from Diego Garcia doubling close air support coverage by B-1s for OIF/OEF. 27th Fighter Wing Airmen extended a helping hand to Clovis, NM residents helping them recover from severe tornadoes that damaged over 400 buildings. The 388th Fighter Wing and the Utah Test and Training Range hosted the first F-22 air-to-ground testing with the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). The 820th Red Horse Squadron was the lead unit in building a clinic and schoolhouse in Nicaragua, and the 3rd Combat Communications Group has had responsibility for the expeditionary communications squadrons at two bases in Iraq, Ali Base in the south, and Kirkuk, in the north. Every AEF rotation, they transfer folks from the two expeditionary squadrons back to home base in Tinker and transfer new manning to the two bases.

The development of our most important resource - our Airmen - is a key component in our evolution as a lethal force. In a smaller, leaner and more expeditionary-focused Air Force, it is imperative that our Airmen have the knowledge and competency to accomplish the mission both in garrison and deployed. Today, more Airmen are taking advantage of and advancing in both professional military education and civilian higher education programs. Over the last year, 12th Air Force had 1,650 Airmen Leadership School graduates, nearly 700 NCO Academy graduates, nearly 200 SNCO Academy graduates and nearly 1,000 CCAF degrees earned. This is phenomenal!

We must continue to be aggressive and realistic about training and higher education. We must prepare our Airmen to face the continued threat of global terrorism, and we must continue to be organized, trained and equipped to respond to any mission across the entire spectrum of military operations from humanitarian relief to major combat operations.

The quality of life for 12th Air Force Airmen is at its best. Significant 12th Air Force funds have been allocated for the improvement of our Airmen's quality of life both in the dorms and in the work center. Despite funding for the war, our No. 1 priority, your senior leaders are continuing to eliminate redundant and outdated processes, which frees up funds to improve living and working conditions for our Airmen.

Your many accomplishments led 12th Air Force wings, teams and individuals to be the recipient of 294 Air Force and Air Combat Command-level awards in 2006 and 2007. Of course, this is no surprise to me; I see every day the effectiveness of your units and the quality of your work.

As a team we have accomplished a lot, but there is more to be done. I am certain, given the caliber of our Airmen and civilians, that we are prepared to face the certain challenges ahead. Thank you for everything you accomplish every day within 12th Air Force. It is noticed, it counts, and it makes a difference. I am proud to be a part of such a stellar team.