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Apply contingency response mindsets to future AF challenges

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Emmett Wingfield
  • 621st Contingency Response Wing
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  I was honored to take command of the 819th Global Support Squadron earlier this year, a part of the 621st Contingency Response Wing. Though our wing is small in size, with just 600 members, it provides a tremendous capability as Air Mobility Command's acceleration force, all thanks to the unique skills, versatility and professionalism of its Airmen.

The "Devil Raiders" are charged with mobilizing the fight, providing relief and advancing peace throughout the world and have answered this call in places as varied as Haiti, Pakistan, Japan and Romania. While I have no idea where our next contingency response will send us, I do know one thing - the experts of the CRW are ready.

How can I be so sure?

The CRW provides versatile mobility Airmen disciplined to solve problems in complex environments. We organize, train and equip our Airmen to assist both joint warfighters and populations in need: anywhere, anytime. Our versatility and depth of experience sets us apart in the mobility world. However, as we in the DOD see shrinking budgets and possible force restructuring on the horizon, I think all servicemembers will be called upon to be more flexible. We will be asked to perform outside our functional areas of expertise - much like the Airmen of the CRW are every day.

As a squadron commander, I am amazed by the versatility of our Airmen. They have a cross-functional capability requiring a wide range of skills. In my squadron of approximately 140 Airmen, there are experts from 23 career fields, but these designations do not strictly define their roles. An air transportation Airman in the CRW often performs more than just aerial port duties. He or she may run our armory, or might train Soldiers, Marines or other agency personnel to build aircraft load plans or cargo pallets. It is not uncommon for a CRW-assigned loadmaster or boom operator to create an airfield parking plan, marshal aircraft and enter flight data into mission tracking software. With every additional role CRW Airmen learn, they become force multipliers, helping the team become more resilient and flexible.

Everyone in the military should be aware lean times are coming, but we are still charged to serve our country to the best of our ability. This may mean learning another's job to aid with short manning. It may mean coming up with creative ways to get training because we simply can't afford to go to the range like we could before. It may mean we need to look within our own organizations to determine where we can be better stewards of the taxpayers' dollar while accomplishing the mission.

During my time as a Devil Raider, I have not heard a single complaint about extra work or increased responsibilities. Both are quietly accepted by all as what it takes to accomplish our global response mission. The success of the CRW is based on the principles of shared purpose and versatility to overcome challenges. I believe these same principles can help all military men and women succeed as they navigate a landscape of reduced resources while maintaining our nation's security. I encourage all of us to put them into effect in our daily lives.