Consecutive Miracles

  • Published
  • By Col. John Bird
  • 366th Fighter Wing commander
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR F ORCE BASE, Idaho --  Gunfighters, it is with heavy hearts that Megan, Blake, Cole, and I depart Mountain Home AFB. It has been the highlight of my career to get to work with such an incredible team that has literally performed a series of consecutive miracles over the last 16 months.

When I first got here, I laid out three priorities for this wing:
1. Get the mission done
2. Improve customer service
3. Champion the Air Force story

You have exceeded my expectations on all fronts.

On the mission side, I am very proud that we were able to stand up the 428th Fighter Squadron in such style during our Peace Carvin V inauguration ceremony. The chance to work side by side with our friends from Singapore was truly a personal highlight that I won't soon forget.

I'm also extremely proud of the combined operations and maintenance effort to redirect and accelerate the T-Bolt and Bold Tiger deployments to provide more combat firepower in Korea. Not a lot of wings could have adjusted their fires that quickly and deploy five months ahead of schedule. I also know and appreciate the hardship this caused many of our families.

I am extremely proud of all our Gunfighters who have deployed and those who stayed behind and picked up the workload. It's difficult to get the job done when 10 to 15% of our folks are deployed at any given time, but you all have answered our nation's call.

Also on the mission front, I'm very proud of how well we have protected and enhanced our resources across this base. Everywhere you look, there's another good news story. The Dunes are coming down this year. The Consolidated Support Facility construction is underway. The heat plant is no more. We are building 54 aircraft shelters on the ramp this summer with a new parking plan. The Logistics Readiness Squadron consolidation project is on track ... and the list goes on.

I'm also proud to report that customer service is at the forefront of our minds in all our plans and organizations. We have expanded hours around the base, are serious about taking feedback and making improvements, and know how to "Starbucks" the experience for all Gunfighters.

If you don't agree, just utilize the ICE program or Facebook to post a complaint and see how fast you get action. Based on your feedback, we've done things like normalize speed limits around base, build a brand new fitness center café, and will be removing pea gravel from housing areas this summer. I ask that you all continue the momentum we've achieved to Take Care of Gunfighters and their families with excellent customer service.

Finally, we have made great strides in Championing the Air Force story. We've reached out to the Governor, State Legislature, County Commissioners, Mayors, and all civic leaders who support our efforts on a daily basis. We hosted a media day for both print and television outlets that significantly enhanced our relationships and opened up two-way communication to tell our story. Many Gunfighters are speaking at public engagements including the monthly Military Affairs Committee luncheons and telling Air Force stories from Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world.

Based on the level of support we receive here, which is unprecedented in my experience, your message is getting through loud and clear. The citizens of Idaho truly understand the importance of this base and contribution you make to national defense.

The best part about this assignment was that it didn't feel like an assignment at all.
It felt like a home.

Thank you for welcoming my family and taking such good care of us. We will never forget all that you have done and look forward to watching the Gunfighters excel from our next assignment at the Pentagon. I am very proud to have served with you as Gunfighter 1.

Remember always that Fortune Favors the Bold!