27 SOW commander New Year message

link U.S. Air Force graphic: Staff Sgt. Alexxis Mercer

Team,

I would like to take this moment on behalf of Col. Smith, Chief Master Sgt. Scanlan, and myself to wish you and your loved ones a happy new year; 2015 will undoubtedly be another momentous leap forward for the Air Commandos of the 27th Special Operations Wing.

Our continued success as a critical component of Air Force Special Operations Command will not be accomplished by the few; it takes each and every member of our team to lead and support each other toward our mission – to provide and enable precise, reliable, flexible and responsive specialized airpower to our joint teammates, while sustaining and growing our premier Air Force installation.

It takes maturity from our Airmen to realize their part in this mission as well as their contributions to the fight and global efforts. I would challenge all members of the 27 SOW in 2015 to develop and cultivate “can-do” mentalities to fulfill core taskings and mission requirements. Reflect on our AFSOC Priorities:

• Provide combat ready forces

• Create an environment for our Airmen and families to thrive

• Transform training to optimize human performance

• Modernize and sustain the force

I need all of my leaders to help every Airman see how they fit into these priorities. All of you quiet professionals… you are the ones that need to be at your prime. We are entrusting each of you to optimize your performance when maintaining and operating our flawless assets – and in doing so, proving Air Commandos are more important than hardware.

With each new year comes a wave of resolutions, often with a focus on fitness. I would caution all of you to not overlook a particular vulnerability that comes with fitness goals.

Dietary supplements come with a significant amount of pros and cons; it is everyone’s responsibility as consumers to be well-informed on how they are supplementing nutrition.

The FDA has found that many dietary supplements, especially weight-loss, bodybuilding and sexual-enhancement products, contain undeclared drug ingredients that could be potentially harmful or produce unwanted results in urinalysis tests. To date, the FDA has declared two dietary supplement ingredients illegal: ephedra and DMAA.

If you need more information regarding supplements, you should contact the Cannon Health Promotion Dietitian at 575-784-1003.

If we are to create an environment for you and your families to thrive, while effectively contributing to our mission, we need to exercise not just ourselves, but the wingman concept. By knowing and sharing our goals, we can help each other reach them in the healthiest way possible.

Again, I want to thank all of you for your dedication to one another and our mission. As we kick-off 2015, do not slow down. The more effective we can be at executing our mission, the more efficiently the Air Force will be able to fly, fight and win. Each of you are critical components to the big picture of generating airpower.

I am honored to lead as your commander and proud to work alongside Airmen so dedicated to the Air Force.

Keep doing what you do Air Commandos… any time, any place!

With highest respect,

Tony D. Bauernfeind

27 SOW commander