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continued from Page 1 lethality, while simultaneously holding other targets at risk,
thereby deterring and dissuading adverse actions.
for natural disasters -- on scene for rescue and delivering Other Airmen fly the giant airlift and refueling aircraft,
humanitarian supplies (to include complete hospitals) that also on a truly intercontinental scale, daily delivering
often mean the difference between life and death. humanitarian relief supplies, other war fighters, cargo,
I see Airmen airborne, in the center of the worst storms and the means to conduct theater war fighting on the scale
and hurricanes in history, to track and provide the warning required in this long war on terrorism. In fact, every 90
that is critical to save lives and protect citizens’ property. seconds, somewhere on the surface of the Earth, these
I see Airmen airborne, fighting forest and range fires, Airmen take to the air -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
delivering fire retardant liquid from C-130s -- again to good weather or foul in defense of this country.
save lives and protect citizens’ property. From rescuing I see Airmen slip into hollow cockpits of fighter aircraft
individuals in danger, to providing storm warning, to and, to paraphrase James Salter’s “Gods of Tin,” plug
fighting fires, to delivering supplies across a global air themselves into the machine. As these Airmen prepare
bridge, Airmen are the real manifestation of American themselves for combat, the canopy grinds shut and seals
compassion and strength. them off. Their oxygen, their very breath, is carried with
It has been my observation that Airmen do these tasks them into the chilled vacuum in a steel bottle. Their only
so well that people at risk expect an American response no voice is the radio. They’re as isolated as a deep-sea diver.
matter how far or how adverse the conditions or how tough For these warriors -- operating in their unique domain
the task. It has also been my observation that these Airmen -- time and space are compressed. To them, geographical
make all this look so easy that others believe it is easy - expanses are reduced and geographical barriers are
which, of course, it’s not. bypassed by the hurtling aircraft - again exploiting the
I see Airmen who are often first to the fight through inherent benefits of the ultimate high ground and vantage of
the attributes inherent in the exploitation of Air Power, operating within this unique domain.
engaging enemies across vast ranges on a truly global scale, In combat, these Airmen live or die alone. They’re
striking targets or transporting themselves and their fellow certainly accompanied by others, flying and fighting
Warriors to hot spots throughout the world. These Airmen alongside -- but, really, they are alone in these fighter
then stand alongside them in the fight as a joint team, aircraft. They’re fighting the laws of physics, as well as
delivering military options, anywhere on Earth. our increasingly lethal enemies. And the connection to
These Airmen fly bombers on a truly intercontinental technology is real because first they become part of the
scale, routinely striking targets at ranges unequaled in the
history of warfare, with peerless precision, speed, and see Perspective on Page 3
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October 27, 2006 Commentary The Uplink 3
continued from Page 2 I see Airmen on duty at this moment across the Inter-
Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) fields and deep within
aircraft and then the aircraft becomes a part of them, all in the missile silos located across the heartland of America
defense of this Nation. -”North of Interstate 80.” This solely Air Force mission
I see Airmen succeed throughout the world, mirroring involves hundreds of missiles and thousands of Airmen,
America’s diversity and its blend of capabilities, devotion, serving as the most responsive element of America’s “Triad,
courage, and valor that unite Warriors across cultures and “ our nuclear deterrent backstop. These Airmen are also
national boundaries. “on watch” 24 hours a day, 7 days a week -- and again, they
I see Airmen who provide measured military effects and have never skipped a beat.
save lives. I see Airmen standing shoulder to shoulder with I see Battlefield Airmen engaged in surface combat
their brothers and sisters on the ground, hunting terrorists alongside this country’s finest Soldiers, Sailors and
as part of our Special Ops teams, driving convoys, guarding Marines. These special operators, combat controllers,
bases, conducting truly high risk combat search and rescue PJs (combat search and rescue to bring back all downed
missions, and providing medical services in places the devil Airmen, no matter their nationality or service), terminal
himself doesn’t dare to tread. attack controllers, combat communicators, and combat
I see the daily mission reports from US Central weathermen serve as the immediate connection from the
Command, documenting multiple examples of Airmen on surface joint team to the airborne Airmen - delivering the
the scene when surface troops are in contact, who attack desired kinetic and non-kinetic effects 24 hours a day, 7
with both the aircraft-mounted gatling guns and with the days a week -- and, they too, have never skipped a beat.
precision-guided munitions, and whose actions set the I see Airmen who represent America at its best: its honor,
conditions for victory. This is the essence of the combatant valor, courage, and devotion; its mastery of science and
spirit and the joint team. technology; its awesome military might; its commitment to
I see Airmen who quietly support national objectives freedom; its flexibility and adaptability. It has always been
over the long term. When American ground troops returned this way: from our humble beginnings since before World
home after liberating Kuwait in 1991, Airmen stayed in War I, to a decisive military force which ended World War
theater as the preponderance of the force deployed to not II, to a truly global force that manned the intercontinental
only enforce the United Nations’ Resolutions but to defend missiles, jet tankers and bombers of the Cold War, and
the local populations from tyranny. In fact, since that time, today contribute to a long list of successes in the global war
Airmen have been fighting in Iraq for 16 straight years, on terror.
including the 12 years of sacrifice and deployed operations As a reminder of the successes, the last time American
in support of Operation Northern Watch and Operation Soldiers have been attacked by enemy aircraft was April,
Southern Watch -- standing guard in the desert as the major 1953--over 53 years ago! The ability for our surface
American military force engaged. combatants to look up into the sky, knowing that there’s
I see Airmen demonstrating the inherent flexibility of nothing to fear is priceless.
American Air Power in responding to combat tasking Yet, air, space and cyberspace dominance is not an
during this same period with two additional deployments entitlement--it’s a direct fight that must be won as a
into the Arabian Gulf, as well as combat operations over predicate to any other activity. The battle for air, space, and,
Bosnia and Kosovo and an unwavering air bridge for now, cyberspace superiority has been -- and will always be
resupply and medical evacuation -- without skipping a beat. -- the first battle of any war.
I see Airmen on duty at this moment flying America’s These Airmen of today’s United States Air Force have a
constellation of military spacecraft. This solely Air Force glorious heritage: from the days of the first combat pilots
mission involves hundreds of military satellites and of the Lafayette Escadrille of WWI, to the groundbreaking
thousands of Airmen, serving as the Nation’s eyes and ears. Tuskegee Airmen of WWII, to the early jet pilots flying
These Airmen operate the key spacecraft that provide early “Sabres” over the distant Yalu River during the Korean War,
warning, communications, precise navigation and weather to the early space and missile pioneers that put America on
information for America’s combat forces. They are “on the ultimate high ground of space, to the heroic Jolly Green
watch” 24 hours a day, 7 days a week -- and again, they Giants and POWs of Vietnam, to the Airmen presently
have never skipped a beat. engaged in combat across Iraq and Afghanistan.
I see Airmen airborne at this moment in support of They all live on the threshold of a vast horizon -- across
Operation Noble Eagle -- overhead the cities and citizens the air, space and cyberspace domains. Airmen must be
of the United States. This solely Air Force mission involves able to continue to mold America’s incredible technological
hundreds of aircraft and thousands of Airmen, operating might into the air, space and cyber systems which guarantee
from dozens of locations -- scattered from Alaska, to our freedoms and our future.
Hawaii, to the East Coast, serving as the airborne shield The United States of America and the joint team that
for America. These Airmen, in flight aboard AWACS early defends it depend on their Air Force to deliver national
warning aircraft, aerial refueling tankers and jet fighters are objectives on a global scale to an extent unseen in the
on “on watch” 24 hours a day, 7 days a week -- and again, history of mankind. Yes, America truly soars on Air Force
they have never skipped a beat. wings.
4 October 27, 2006 Commentary The Uplink
A.A.D.D.
Airmen Against Drunk Driving
Please call: 01280-708-253 (Comm.)
236-8253 (DSN)
ABS 22
Dubbed Croughton Bowl II it was a battle of the underdogs for the intramural flag football
championship October 13.
All bets were on the undefeated regular season Comm squad to take it all, but ABS and SFS
had something different in mind -- a rematch of the 2005 final.
ABS handed Comm their first loss in the playoff opener 27-24. While SFS took down RITC
28-16 in game 2, only to find themselves in the losers bracket after being beaten by ABS 31-20.
Determination prevailed and SFS handed Comm their second loss of the year, 20-12, to secure
their position in the Bowl along with ABS.
Powerful rushes by both defenses forced QBs Eric Watts, ABS, and Matt Leeman, SFS, to
work outside their game plan to move the offense.
In the end it was the ABS offense that proved more versatile. The ABS offensive coordinator
sent plays in to methodically pick on the SFS weak zones, allowing Watts to complete passes to
nearly every offensive player on the roster to keep the ball in ABS hands.
The defense had to stop the SFS big play potential, and they did just that with key backfield
stops that forced SFS to go long, and 3 crucial interceptions by the secondary.
Watts summed up the 4-peat victory as a game where every player contributed, and no one
was selfish -- Selfish.
orts The Uplink 7
SFS 6
continued from Page 1 to the dedicated Airmen who served in the job I love’,” read General Moseley.
Air Force will have this memorial.” the past. “Those are the words of a true PJ, and
The ceremony was the highlight “We have the most powerful air, it speaks volumes of his commitment
of a daylong open house event that space and cyberspace force in the and dedication. We honor him with
attracted thousands of people from world,” he said. “This is a long overdue this memorial, as well as the countless
around the country to the south parking tribute to all those who are a part of others who are like him.”
lot of the Pentagon. Huge screens were this ongoing cycle of dedicated and Several aircraft, ranging from World
put up which allowed the visitors in talented Americans who service in the War One bi-planes to today’s stealth
the parking lot to view the dedication Air Force.” bombers and fighters, flew over the
ceremony, which took place at the base The Air Force Band performed crowd and memorial in chronological
of the memorial. several pieces while a video was shown order, providing visual evidence of the
That crowd included H. Ross Perot with clips from pilots climbing into evolution of military flight.
and his son, H. Ross Perot Jr., who is World War II bombers to modern-day The ceremony ended with a
chairman of the Air Force Memorial Airmen working in the sands of Iraq. demonstration from the Thunderbirds,
Foundation, and Secretary of Defense Chief of Staff of the Air Force who buzzed the crowd before doing the
Donald Rumsfeld. Also in attendance Gen. T. Michael Moseley spoke of bomb-burst formation, which inspired
were former chiefs of staff of the Air several Airmen who made the ultimate the design of the three-spires of the
Force, secretaries of the Air Force, sacrifice in the name of freedom. He memorial.
chief master sergeants of the Air Force, read an excerpt from a letter sent by “We commemorate today the
Air Force Medal of Honor recipients Senior Airman Jason Cunningham, an courage of the men and women who
and their families. Air Force parajumper with the Special wear the Air Force blue,” said President
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Forces to his wife, Theresa, before he Bush. “We remember those who gave
Rodney J. McKinley spoke at the event, was killed in combat in Afghanistan in their lives for their fellow Americans.
saying he was deeply honored to be a 2002. We mourn their loss, we pray for their
part of it. He reflected on the Airmen “As if aware of his impending death, families and we consecrate their legacy
who serve today, and their connection he wrote, ‘I’ll die a happy man doing here today.”
Protestant services:
General Protestant Worship is every
Sunday at 11 a.m.
Sunday school is every Sunday at Changing Speed
Croughton American School from 9:30
to 10:30 a.m. A local community ini-
tiative between RAF
General Chapel Information: Croughton and Northants
Christian Men’s Luncheon and Bible County Council will make
Study meets in the Chapel Annex every entering and exiting or
Wednesday at noon. passing by RAF Crough-
Catholic Parish Council Meetings
ton’s main gate safer. The
take place every month on the Monday
before the last Sunday. speed limit on the 4031
between Dambach and
Schools Atkins has been reduced
to 40 mph. Too new signs
Croughton American School: were installed at each end
Second Wednesday of each of the stretch of road to
month: PTO general member meet-
warn motorist of the re-
ing in the CAS Great Hall at 4:30
p.m. Current scheduled meetings duced speed. One of the
on December 13, March 14, and signs is a standard speed-
May 9. limit sign and the other
Last Wednesday of each month: a powered unit, shown
PTO Board meeting in the CAS right, that reminds motor-
PTO room at 3:15 p.m. ist to slow down.
Second Tuesday of each month: The reduced speed limit
School Advisory Committee meet- will not only benfit motor-
ing in CAS Room C5 at 3:15 p.m. ist near the main entrance
to RAF Croughton, but will
Airman and Family also serve as a buffer zone
Readiness Center for Croughton Village.
Every Monday: Basic Money
Management 10 a.m. -10:30 a.m. in
the A&FRC. with Louis de Bernieres and Ilone Milton Keynes.
Every Thursday: Parents and Tots Antonius-Jones. New performance Bletchley Park was home to
play group 10 a.m. -10:30 a.m. in the from the Edinburgh Fringe theatre. Churchill’s codebreakers during
Community Center. An evening of Music and very fun- WWII and is the location the
ny Poetry. Tickets £10.00, Under Enigma Code was broken.
16 £5.00. The price is £18 and includes
Croughton transportation. For more information
Village Hall BAC or to sign up contact Caroline
Join Croughton History Group Murdoch, caroline@redworks.
Theatre: and The British America Committee co.uk, 07958 538 583. For further
Saturday November 18th. Return on Saturday 18 November for a information about Bletchley Park,
of the ‘ANTONIUS PLAYERS’ joint visit to Bletchley Park near go to www.bletchleypark.org.uk.
10 October 27, 2006 Services The Uplink