Dunn: Highlighting the AF Mission

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

AFA Members, Congressional Staffers, civic leaders, and DOCA members, I found a very interesting article, published in Strategic Studies Quarterly, written by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen Norton A. Schwartz and Lt Col Timothy R. Kirk. The article is entitled "Policy and Purpose - The Economy of Deterrence." It builds on CSAF's address at the September 08 Air and Space Conference Symposium. It seeks to broader understanding of deterrence and describes how it fits with other forms of policy. We have put a link to it on our website. [Warning - it is long - 20 pages on my printer.] Link: http://www.afa.org/EdOp/2009/Schwartz_Kirk.pdf

Many in the Air Force describe their mission using the moniker of: "Organize, Train, and Equip." As many of the old-timers know, the rest of the phrase goes: " … forces for prompt and sustained combat operations in the air." People more familiar with the current Air Force might add: " … in the air, space, and cyberspace." In fact the Secretary of the Air Force, Honorable Michael Donley and Chief of Staff, Gen Schwartz, recently came out with their very descriptive version: "Fly, Fight, and Win in Air, Space, and Cyberspace." It is a phrase most of us can remember/repeat, and it resonates with the past mission of Fly, Fight, and Win. However, to add clarity (or not), I thought it might be helpful to tell you what the law says is the Air Force mission. You can read the actual words from Title 10 below my name.

Finally, the Shuttle Discovery took off a couple of days ago. Its crew is led by an AFA life member, Col Lee Archambault, USAF. [For one article on the launch, see: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-space-shuttle16-2009mar16,0,1281009.story and for more on the crew, see: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts119/index.html]. [Note there are two former teachers who are members of his crew.] Lee has flown on the shuttle before. On his last flight, he took with him two American flags … and in Jul 07, made a special trip to the Air Force Memorial and presented them to the Air Force Association and the Air Force Memorial Foundation. I was honored to be able to accept them on behalf of the then-Chairman of the Board, Bob Largent. We took the opportunity during Lee's short visit to fly both flags at the Air Force Memorial. You can find the photo we took at this link: http://www.afa.org/media/press/afa_astronaut.asp

Lee - I know you get these emails … even in space. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the crew of Discovery.

Best

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO

Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense and subject to the provisions of chapter 6 of this title, the Secretary of the Air Force is responsible for, and has the authority necessary to conduct, all affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including the following functions:

(1) Recruiting.

(2) Organizing.

(3) Supplying.

(4) Equipping (including research and development).

(5) Training.

(6) Servicing.

(7) Mobilizing.

(8) Demobilizing.

(9) Administering (including the morale and welfare of personnel).

(10) Maintaining.

(11) The construction, outfitting, and repair of military equipment.

(12) The construction, maintenance, and repair of buildings, structures, and utilities and the acquisition of real property and interests in real property necessary to carry out the responsibilities specified in this section.