The 911th = One Fast Train

  • Published
  • By Colonel Bryan Bly
  • 911 Airlift Wing
PITTSBURGH IAP ARS --  So how did we do at the Operational Readiness Inspection? The big picture shows that we are fine. There will always be write-ups and findings and areas to improve. But look at the big picture. We generated and moved the Force to our deployed location about 19 hours ahead of schedule. We fought the weather and the war and reacted to threats while generating wartime sorties. We successfully handed command and control between the ICC and the SOC and kept the mission going. Individually, you did your jobs and added your piece to the huge puzzle.

The tempo and rhythm of the holiday season called for slowing down and reconnecting with family and friends, but the percussion beat underneath from deployed comrades-in-arms dictated a quicker step for this dance. Stand tall and be proud, and get ready for the next adventure.

With the completion of the ORI , we are now spinning up the machine to deploy a large force of operators, maintainers and support warriors to take our turn in the Expeditionary Air Force of 2010. This is nothing new...we've been over there continuously since 2002. We have volunteers from just about every squadron deployed around the world as individuals or in small teams, but when we send a large package of aircraft, flyers and maintainers, the public takes notice. However, we must never forget our Steel Wingmen from Aerial Port, Aeromedical Evacuation, Security Forces, Civil Engineering, Personnel, Logistics Plans, Communications, Services, Transportation, even our civilian teammates who quietly and continuously carry the flag for us over there. Please accept my heartfelt thanks to all of you who voluntarily step up to the plate and serve your country in foreign lands.

Wow 2010! The first decade of the 21st century is nearly finished (one more year to go). What do we do now? My guess is we will continue to deploy in support of Overseas Contingency Operations. We will continue efforts to bring our sister services onto the property to strengthen our footing. We will face a Unit Compliance Inspection and various other inspections, because that caravan never stops moving. We will have an air show and reconnect with our community. We will run twice instead of once for Fit-to-Fight. We will press on to Fly, Fight and Win, because we are the Steel Wingmen from Pittsburgh.
Years ago a friend of mine, an Air Force helicopter pilot, went to fly an inter-service tour with the Army's "Screaming Eagles" at Fort Campbell, Ky. During his in-processing he had an interview with the commanding general, who's parting words were: "Son, this is a fast train, always been a fast train. Don't hurt yourself getting on or off." That's sound advice for us in 2010. I'm proud to serve with all of you.