CSAF visits flood-stricken Airmen, offers encouragement

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell
  • 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFNS) --  Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visited Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen here Oct. 4 to emphasize the significance of their mission and the importance of teamwork in the face of adversity.

During an all-call, Schwartz acknowledged the dedication Airmen here have displayed to both the mission and each other during difficult times. He applauded the support shown during the historic flooding of the Souris River, which claimed more than 4,000 homes and affected more than 1,100 Airmen and their families in Minot, N.D.

"What you did here during the flood was truly remarkable: reaching out to those in need, taking care of each other and continuing to support the mission," Schwartz said. "This base has given me a deep appreciation for and admiration of the resilience of our Airmen."

The general acknowledged the importance of every Airman specialty by comparing the Air Force to a winning basketball team, stating that every team member is vital to success.

"It takes everyone to successfully accomplish our Air Force mission," Schwartz said. "For those of you here at Minot, who carry the responsibility of being a steward of the nation's most lethal weapons, you need to know that everybody here counts.

"We are a big Air Force, and we are a family," he continued. "We are proud of what we do, and we are even prouder of what we do as a team."

Schwartz said Airmen here carry a special responsibility that brings with it an exceptional level of effort and scrutiny.

"Doing your jobs well, precisely and reliably is truly important," Schwartz said. "The level of excellence that you display is truly valuable. This is a highly important mission that is not going away."

The Air Force needs reliable people to ensure the nuclear enterprise mission is accomplished safely, securely and with the utmost surety, the general said.

"Reputations are hard to earn and easy to lose, and we have earned our good reputation," he said. "The most senior people in government and the American public trust us to successfully execute the nuclear mission, so continue to make us proud."