Looking back while moving forward

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Team Ramstein, your service continues to amaze this Airman. The Command Chief and I witnessed your leadership first hand these past two weeks during our Operational Readiness Exercise. From mobility processing to learning how to survive and operate in a hazardous environment we came together to start preparing for our Sept 2010 Operational Readiness Inspection. And even more impressive was the fact you exercised while still accomplishing our daily "fly, fight, and win" mission. 

What I'm trying to say is you remain incredibly busy. As 2009 comes to a close it is time to look back on how much you've accomplished...and 2009 can be characterized by generosity, service and teamwork.

Our military family's generosity is a true force multiplier. From the family members of our deployed Airmen and Soldiers making daily sacrifices in support of their war fighters, to our amazing volunteers that form the backbone of our community events, we are blessed. This is truly evident from events like our Annual Welfare Bazaar to your generous contributions to the annual Combined Federal Campaign. The bottom line is the entire Kaiserslautern Military Community benefits because of your generosity.

This year, Team Ramstein's dedicated service continued to deliver maximum combat capability to the war fighter - we flew more than 14,583 hours, transporting more than 2,500 tons of cargo and 6,500 passengers. Combined with our brothers and sisters in the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing, the U.S. Army's 21st Theater Sustainment Command and U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern, Team Ramstein supported more than 30 thousand flights, 280 thousand passengers, and 131 thousand tons of cargo. Plus we safely completed the 100,000th patient movement between the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

Our Team Ramstein wings, in collaboration with our many tenant organizations and host nation partners, epitomize the teamwork required to support national interests throughout the world. Across the KMC, active duty, Reserve, civilian and host nation Airmen and Soldiers ensure our weapons and personnel are postured to provide full-spectrum air mobility capability to the war fighter as well as world class base services and quality of life to the entire KMC.

But while you prepare inside the KMC your impact extends far beyond the border of Germany. From Israel to Bosnia, Africa to Serbia, our warriors partnered during numerous exercises, training scenarios and real-world events to create lasting relationships with our fellow services, Coalition forces and communities around the globe.

This teamwork, service and generosity were without a doubt, several of the key factors for our recent receipt of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. It is certainly a great time to be an Airman - not only here at Ramstein, but also in today's Air Force. I could not be more proud of the many tasks you and your families accomplished throughout this last year. We have much to be thankful for as we close out 2009, and the Dillon family would like to wish the entire Team KMC family a safe and restful holiday season. Thanks to you and your families for serving and I look forward to seeing you around the KMC.