An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

We are American Airmen

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Scott Kilbride
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing command chief
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, NJ. --  This week I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to our nation's capital. I and my fellow command chiefs, Chief Master Sgt. Gary Holtgard and Chief Master Sgt. Jeff Helm, received numerous briefings in the Pentagon on the issues and challenges facing our Air Force. We also met with the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Rodney McKinley, and the Secretary of the Air Force, the Honorable Michael W. Wynne, to discuss the Air Force's mission and priorities. 

On Tuesday afternoon, we traveled to Capitol Hill and received a historical tour of the U.S. Capitol Building and witnessed first-hand how our Air Force interacts with Congress to relay the Air Force's priorities, initiatives and programs. 

Airmen at all levels must be able to convey the message that the Air Force is in this fight. This fight is not just the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan -- it's the fight to save lives through our humanitarian relief operations, it's the fight to dissuade and deter our adversaries, and it's the fight to provide for the strategic defense of the country now and in the future. 

Our senior leaders are committed and focused on three top priorities: 1) winning the war on terror and preparing for the next war, 2) developing and caring for our Airmen to maintain our competitive edge, and 3) recapitalizing and modernizing our aging aircraft and equipment to meet 21st century challenges. 

These priorities go hand-in-hand with the latest CSAF Vector which debuted the new Airman's Creed. This creed, in essence, is like our Constitution's Preamble. It defines a fundamental belief in who we are, what we do and what we stand for. 

Within every Airman lies a warrior ethos dedicated to fly, fight and win. Leaders across Team McGuire should take every opportunity to live and foster the warrior virtues outlined in this creed -- Set the example! 

Pride in our heritage is just one of the many warrior virtues embedded in the Airman's Creed. Starting today and every Friday thereafter, we will honor our heritage and commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Air Force through a formal retreat ceremony held at the base flag staff. 

Our stars and stripes not only represent our inalienable rights as set forth in the Declaration of Independence, but it also serves as a reminder of our duties -- including the profession of arms in the service of our nation --the highest duty of all. 

Please take the time to join us each week as we render the proper respect to our flag. As the flag is folded, I know that I will reflect upon the rights and duties the stars and stripes call upon me as it strengthens my patriotic and moral conscience and reminds me that I am an American Airman.