Priorities – Key to mission accomplishment Published June 8, 2007 By Col. Thomas Sharpy 92nd Air Refueling Wing Commander FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- I am proud to join you here as the incoming Air Refueling Wing commander. I will do my best to give you my full commitment as we continue engaging in the Global War on Terrorism. Throughout my tenure here, this wing's priorities will key on people, mission, family, community, Smart Operations and safety. As you know, people are the Air Force's most valuable asset. We have the greatest air and space force in the world because we have the greatest Airmen in the world. I pledge to make decisions to enhance your welfare ensuring we develop all Fairchild Airmen. The air-refueling mission our Airmen execute is critical to the war's success. Our mission ensures global reach and power extends to all corners of the world. Therefore, there is no greater honor for me than to serve next to you Team Fairchild warriors. This Team includes all of our partners living and working on this installation. At this very time, we have warriors fighting next to our Guard, Reserve counterparts and our fellow service members, defending the hope of freedom while putting their lives in harm's way for the greater cause. It is critical that we are mission ready at all times to support the war fighter. As is defending freedom - family is also very important. I was fortunate to have parents who provided me the foundation for success. Here, I have experienced firsthand Team Fairchild's commitment to family, and I, along with my wife Lori and our sons Dylan and Matthew are humbled to be a part of this team. We will do our best to support every Fairchild family. Community support is also vital to winning the war, and I am grateful to live in the great Inland Northwest, amongst people whose continued commitment to our Airmen, their families and our mission is undeniable. I look forward to continuing this valued relationship because community support is vital to our ongoing success. This is the absolute best community relationship that I have experienced and each of must work to make it even better! ASFO 21 is not just another program; it is a way of life. It is our duty to look for ways to eliminate waste allowing each of us to work smarter and not harder. If you have ideas on how to increase our combat capability and make our processes better, please engage your chain of command. It is your ideas that will make our AF more efficient and a better place to live and work! Lastly, I cannot stress enough the importance of safety. We must strive to accomplish the mission right, safely and by the book...every time! No one has ever gotten into trouble or received a safety violation for taking their time. My top concern is you -- Team Fairchild, and your safety. Therefore, I urge you to put safety first in all you do. You are the best of the best and I look forward to working with, leading with and serving with you as we continue supporting combat operations around the globe. Together we are making a difference every day!