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NEWS | Oct. 5, 2007

"The Fly-By ... 60 years of Air Force History" Great Airmen, past and present

By Col. Paul R. Ackerley 316th Wing Commander

Tops in Blue 2007 ... "The Fly-By, 60 years of Air Force History." One word described the show, phenominal.

I hope you had the opportunity to see one of the two shows this past Friday and Saturday. If you did, like me, you departed the theater amazed again with the talents of the Tops in Blue Airmen and full of pride for the Air Force and nation we serve.

The combination of songs and video walked the audience through the past 60 years of our Air Force as an independent Service. Remembered were past Airmen who created the foundation of service, honor, excellence, and valor. Shown also were today's Airmen who continue to uphold the highest standards of our heritage by defending this nation at home and in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations throughout the world.

As one of the "mature" Airmen on Andrews, the show for me was a walk back through memory lane. Our achievements in flight such as the F-86 to F-22 and C-54 to C-17 are impressive and our capabilities today in space were mere dreams or science fiction 60-years ago. However, while technological advances have enabled today's Air Force to be truly global in its capabilities and effects, what impressed me as I thought back through my 30+ years in the Air Force were the improvements in our greatest capability: our Airmen.

When I think back to my days as a young airman, NCO, and lieutenant, I quickly realize that I would be challenged to compete against today's Airmen. Our younger Airmen are smarter, better trained, more diverse in their skill sets, and more knowledgeable about their Air Force. Our NCOs and Senior NCOs are better leaders and mentors, more knowledgeable about the Airmen they supervise and more understanding of the needs of our Airmen's families. Our Chiefs are strategic leaders...100 percent.

Our officer corps improvements are equally impressive. Young officers today have levels of responsibility and leadership that in the past were reserved for more seasoned officers. Not to be outdone, our civilian leaders are side by side with officers in developmental programs and are frequently seen at the front leading organizations previously led by majors, lieutenant colonels, or colonels.

All this happened because over the past 60 years our Air Force focused as much on developing and taking care of its Airmen as on developing technology and new weapon systems. By keeping standards high, improving our officer, enlisted, and civilian training programs and emphasizing Airmen and family support programs, our Air Force created a professional environment where Airmen could excel in expanding mission areas and as leaders.

Along with our sister services we should be proud of our heritage, proud of what we bring today to the joint fight, and proud of the Airmen who each day respond when their nation calls.

Tops in Blue, thanks for the great show and especially thanks for reminding me of great Airmen, past and present.