482nd commander addresses Airmen, shares news on upcoming events

  • Published
  • By Col. Chris Funk
  • 482nd Fighter Wing commander
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Makos,

As we usher in the upcoming holiday season, I wanted to take a couple minutes to share some news and thank yous and let you know about some upcoming wing events.

It's no surprise that October has been a busy month, full of milestones and accomplishments in the wake of some relatively daunting and unprecedented circumstances. From the close out of the fiscal year, and the government shutdown, to the prepping of our jets for deployment, responding to a real-world alert requirement, and a no-notice inspection from higher headquarters, we've all been tested and I couldn't be prouder with how you've responded to and performed amidst all these challenges.

As most of you are aware by now, we've finally moved into our brand new combined Troop Feeding Facility and Community Activity Center Nov. 1. My sincere thanks to the members of the 482nd Force Support Squadron, the 482nd Civil Engineering Squadron, and the 482nd Mission Support Group for delivering this absolutely incredible new facility. If you haven't stopped by yet, please do. I truly believe it's going to be an awesome venue for Team Homestead to enjoy. Our facility is, top to bottom, outstanding. It's a great place to have a cold beverage or a hot meal. Additionally, my hat's-off to the 482nd FSS for a downright scary job well done for the 6th annual Hauntfest held Oct. 31.

We also held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on the new AAFES Express. The Express is scheduled to be completed in July of 2014 and will feature eight gas pumps, a military clothing sales, dry cleaners, and all the items traditionally found in an Express. It's going to be a fantastic addition to the base.

In December's UTA, I'll host my first commander's call and share some holiday cheer before you scatter to each of your respective units for your holiday parties. The commander's call will be on the adjoining patio to the Community Activity Center at 3 p.m. Dec. 7. I really wanted to gather the team to spend a little time together before we send out a large portion of the wing to support the upcoming AEF. I'm looking forward to seeing you all there.

Starting in December and running through January, I'll be conducting a wing-wide 482nd Fighter Wing Unit Climate Assessment (UCA). With all that's going on, I felt it was truly important to check in with you to see how we're really doing. The survey will be absolutely anonymous, so I encourage and frankly need your candid feedback to ensure we're not missing anything. Your Military Equal Opportunity Team will come around to each unit to explain the mechanics of the survey and answer any questions. It's all of our responsibility to make Homestead ARB a better place. The UCA is one of the tools we can use to get your anonymous inputs.

I want to thank each and every one of you for what you do every day. I'm proud of all your hard work and dedication and humbled to stand next to such amazing volunteer patriots. While sequestration and its effects still loom over the whole of the Air Force and government - causing significant and undue uncertainty to our nation's security making us a less capable, less flexible, and a less ready force - I know Makos always find a way to perform our mission and defend our nation. That's just what we do, and we do it better than nearly everyone else. However, we do need to find the correct balance while we "do more with less", and every commander and supervisor I have talked to are concerned with how the consequences of these changes and cuts are affecting you and your families.

Finally, I'd ask that each of you continue to keep an eye on your fellow Airmen. We've been busy, and the strain of preparing for the upcoming AEF amidst all that's been going on is apparent. Holidays are typically tough enough times, and I need each of you for the fight ahead, so please make sure to do your buddy checks.

Thanks for your hard work this UTA and I'll see each of you in December!