FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Well, I am finally back from a long, hard road trip. Well, maybe not so hard, just long.

As I return after a few weeks away, it is always amazing to see how each and every one of you just keeps the machine we know as Fairchild going. With that said, I want to take a minute to tell you about what I have seen in my travels.

You see, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander and I get to spend a lot of time with our fellow wing commanders and command chiefs. So we hear about every challenge out there - everything from handling day-to-day issues to taking care of families and our Airmen.

As I look around I see a team of people at Fairchild that is doing a great job at what is most important!!

The Chief of Staff of the Air Force's #3 priority is Developing and Caring for our Airmen and their families. Between the hard work of our commanders, first sergeants and all levels of leadership, we do a great job, but there are those agencies going well above and beyond to provide you a great quality of life. Our Airmen and Family Readiness Center, spouse clubs and our key spouses - in comparison we blow the other wings away!!!

Why do I bring all this up? Well, we are not perfect and could always do better. While we are focused on the day-to-day mission, we always have those families and Airmen that need a little extra help or attention. We have all the processes, programs, and caring people to do that but we need to make sure we know who those families in need are and get them to the right place.

As we continue into our 20th year of war - yes, 20 years we have been at war - we need to make sure we take care of Airmen and their families.

How do we do that? It really is simple. Communicate on a constant basis, put them on your to-do list. All the tools are there to help... use them!

If you are in need of help, feel you are not getting what you need, or just don't know how to get access to all the great things Fairchild has to offer, please ASK! Ask the shirt, commander, chief or a fellow spouse or dependent that has been around for awhile. Join a club, get out in the community.

What we do as an Air Force and what our families do for the active duty members in support of all of that is truly incredible. We recognize that it is not easy, but Fairchild is prepared to take care of all the needs that help us meet the CSAF's goal and Team Fairchild's priority.

So I ask you to please keep doing the things that make us great. I can tell you from my travels, each and every one of you should rest assured Team Fairchild is great at being there for and taking care of our Airmen and families.

Thanks for all you do!

Chief