PRIDE: From Middle Georgia to the front lines (Commentary)

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Carlos Labrador
  • 78th Air Base Wing command chief

It can be difficult to visualize how our garrison occupations are directly linked to war-winning combat capabilities. However, this link can easily be made by the members at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.

A few months ago, members from across Team Robins, including the 78th Security Forces Squadron, 116th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 461st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the 78th Medical Group, were enjoying the many benefits life in Middle Georgia offers. Simultaneously, they proudly carried out their normal work schedules and completed seemingly mundane training requirements – potentially without a full appreciation of how home station readiness leads to deployed success. 

These Airmen likely did not foresee that they and their equipment would soon be transported to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, by the same aircraft proudly maintained by the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex at Robins. These aircraft are the lifeblood of all expeditionary operations. More specific to Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, the aircraft, equipment and personnel combine into the dominant capabilities; capabilities that ensure a lasting defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, and maintain the strength of our regional partnerships and alliances.

We take this opportunity to salute these recently deployed Airmen. Despite real-world hostilities and eminent threats, they successfully carried out a critical agile combat support mission, encompassing airfield security, strategic advising, airfield management, civil engineering, air traffic control and aerial port operations in support of coalition and partner forces. 

Likewise, we salute all Team Robins Airmen currently deployed throughout the world. We greatly value their commitment and contributions vital to our national security. While we’ve had to adapt many processes to the evolving pandemic environment, our contingency operations remain resilient and undeterred.

Finally, we pay tribute to the steadfast contributions from across the Team Robins enterprise, which is fully represented throughout the theater by the Total Force Airmen currently deployed – from the surveillance and battle management provided by Team JSTARS, with their Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System E-8C aircraft, to the weapon system technology that assures combat dominance to the essential logistical support all rely upon, plus everything in between and beyond.

The continued success of our deployed Airmen and related missions are underpinned by the selfless dedication of the professionals that make up Team Robins. Thank you for your service. Robins Proud!