Happy holidays to America’s Air Commandos

Editor’s note: The following messages are from the Air Force Special Operations Command and 27th Special Operations Wing commanders.

This has been a great year to be a part of AFSOC. Your precision and reliability have made us the most respected and capable special operations force ever. I thank you for the hard work and dedication that have brought us to where we are today.

The holiday season is a joyous time for many of us to refresh and reenergize with family and friends. We must not forget, however, that we are fully engaged around the globe. As some of us prepare to celebrate this holiday season in garrison, we will keep those of you who are in harm's way in our thoughts and prayers. You are serving valiantly and selflessly far from our borders, unable to pause for holiday festivities. You continue to place your lives on the line every day in defense of our freedom, our way of life, and those we are sworn to protect. Thank you all for your service.

Our goal this holiday season must be zero serious mishaps across the entire spectrum of activities, regardless of where we are serving. We must be mindful of aircraft, ground, and weapons safety and always make good decisions. As our priorities dictate, we must be ready to provide combat ready forces, create an environment for our Airmen and families to thrive, transform training to optimize human performance, and modernize and sustain the force, both during the holidays and afterward. We need everyone at full capacity to implement these important tenets.

History tells us the holidays are second only to the summer months in the number of mishaps we see across the command. While this year has been a very safe one, we will continue to strive for our goal of zero serious mishaps as we close out this holiday season and begin the New Year.

Wherever you serve in the coming weeks, please make every effort to identify and mitigate risks in everything you do as well as watch out for your fellow Airmen. Our mission needs you and your country needs you. The individual talents of every Air Commando are crucial for our continued success, and we literally cannot accomplish the mission without you.

I am extremely proud of what AFSOC has accomplished this year and know that 2015 will bring even better things, all because of your dedication and service. I am truly honored and humbled to serve alongside you. Maggie and I wish you and your families the very best.

Bradley A. Heithold

Lieutenant General, AFSOC Commander

Team,

As we celebrate this holiday season and the beginning of a New Year, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of Col. Smith, Chief Mater Sgt. Scanlan and myself to thank you for your outstanding service and contributions to our mission. Additionally, we are deeply appreciative for your leadership and your support to each other.

Carry on this dedication to each other during this holiday season and into the New Year. Continue our roles as good wingmen and pay attention to potential signs of depression. Our team members that experience significant workplace stress or the loss of a significant relationship and exhibit diminished performance, misconduct, substance abuse, withdrawal, or isolation are particularly vulnerable. If you or someone you know is having a difficult time with personal or professional related stress there are many avenues for help. Talk to a family member, friend, first sergeant, commander, chaplain, or Military & Family Life Counselor. No matter the avenue you choose, please find someone you or your teammate can confide in. You are all invaluable and irreplaceable teammates to the 27 SOW, to AFSOC and our nation.

As such, we need each and every member of our team to effectively execute our mission. We cannot afford to lose anyone due to a mishap. This season presents some daunting challenges for travel and operations...please be a cautious driver and allow extra time for poor road conditions. This holiday season can also provide an opportunity for individuals to let their guard down to an unsafe level, whether pushing personal limits while driving, engaging in high-risk activities or actions, or consuming alcohol without a plan in place. Whatever your plans are, I expect that all individuals personally assess the risks, plan ahead and have alternate plans in case things go wrong. Remember the many support networks that are available if you need them; anyone on our team stands ready to support you or your family. If all else fails and you need a ride, AADD is available: 575-784-AADD. Additionally, if you see one of our teammates struggling to make the right decision with respect to personal risk step in and help.

Leaders please get involved; ensure vigilance through direct personal contact. Know what your team members have planned and watch for changes in behavior that need attention. I expect all supervisors to continue one-on-one contact with each of their subordinates before our team departs for the holidays. Always remember...your leadership can make a difference.

To our teammates that are deployed down range or in-garrison, your call to duty has taken you away from family and friends this holiday season and I profoundly thank you. Without your professionalism, dedication and valor, our wing's critical mission does not happen. Our defenders are constantly vigilant and stand watch to protect us and our installation. Our MQ-1/9 team constantly executes our nation's most relevant target sets. Our medics, ambulance drivers and firefighters stand ready as our nation's premier first responders. Our Command Post controllers and 27th Special Operations Air Operations Squadron team leads a deliberate command and control network that ensures our team is ready whenever the call may come. These are just a few of our many outstanding performers sacrificing during this holiday season. We thank you all for the sacrifices you and your family make in defense of our nation.

Again, thank you for your dedication to each other and our mission.

Tony D. Bauernfeind

Colonel, 27 SOW Commander