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The Spotlight Shines on the 'Can Do' Team at McGuire

  • Published
  • By Col. Rick Martin
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing commander
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, NJ. --  The "Can Do" Wing is proud to host Maj. Gen. and Mrs. James Hawkins, 18th Air Force Commander, and his Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Brye McMillon, to McGuire Air Force Base! Much has happened since their last visit in February 2006. 

We have launched numerous wing-wide Air Force Smart Operation for the 21st Century initiatives that have eliminated waste, saved countless man-hours and identified better ways to do business. Additionally, we have established an initial operational capability to support U.S. Strategic Command with our KC-10s, witnessed ground-breaking for housing privatization between Fort Dix and McGuire and seen the makings of a Joint Base. 

Speaking of the Joint Base, as you make your way around McGuire AFB, you may notice an increase in the number of Army uniforms mixed with our Air Force blue. In fact, this is a sign of our growing Joint Base community. For example, you may have seen some of our sister-service warriors at the clinic as we combine medical services under our "Health System of One" plan. The Department of Defense has been laying the Joint Base foundation for nearly the past two years and it's starting to become a reality. The senior leadership at McGuire has been working with our adjacent bases, NAES Lakehurst and Fort Dix, to map out the most effective and efficient installation management, without sacrificing each service's commitment to its mission. Joint Basing is going to save the DoD money and manpower as it combines installation support functions of all three bases under the Air Force lead at McGuire AFB. As the lead base for this initiative, it is important for us to be good partners and maintain flexibility as this initiative is fully deployed. At the same time, if you see a better way to accomplish or consolidate a function, please inform your leadership. Joint basing is here, it's happening, and together we will achieve our vision -- America's premier Joint Base community and "Can Do" team! 

Command Chief Master Sgt. Scott Kilbride and I will be visiting Capitol Hill next week, and I look forward to telling our elected leadership about our Joint Base progress and the great things we're doing at the "Can Do" Wing and McGuire Air Force Base. I am extremely proud of our tremendous Airmen and the dedicated families who support us! Thanks for all you do! Can Do!