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Tinker celebrates airpower at Air Force Ball

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. O'Brien
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Lt. Gen. Bruce Litchfield is proud of the Air Force, proud to be an Airman and proud to be stationed at Tinker. The Air Force Sustainment Center commander said so Sept. 21 at the Air Force Ball.

Addressing a crowd of more than 700 Airmen, spouses, civilians, community partners and guests at the Embassy Suites Norman Hotel and Conference Center, the general spoke to the theme, "Remembering our past, forging our future."

"It is great to be an Airman here at Tinker and to be with you tonight given all the contributions that Team Tinker makes to our Air Force," General Litchfield said. "You bring it every day and that 'it' is airpower.

"I am proud of what airpower does for our nation and I am proud of what our nation stands for ... but, just as important, I'm proud of the Airmen who make up Team Tinker -- the men and women in uniform, whether it's active duty, guard or Reserve, our civilian total-force teammates, industrial-based partners, community partners with patriotic spirit that's an enabler to our success and lastly, but certainly the most important, our spouses," the general said. "Together we are big 'A' Airmen who supply airpower any place, any time."

Since 1947, the Air Force has held a commitment to the United States despite war and combat.

"The fact that no Soldier has been put at risk from an enemy in the sky since the Korean War is a tribute to our understanding of what it takes to fight and win on the battlefield," the general said. "We can and should remember our past with pride. But, it is our obligation to forge our future."

General Litchfield said budgetary times are tough and the future is uncertain, but the Air Force has faced similar transitions before and still persevered. He is confident the Air Force will do it again.

"By learning from the past, we can use this as a pivot point to shape a new normal," he said.

To ensure the "new normal" is successful, the general said innovation is key.
Citing past Air Force pioneers Gen. Billy Mitchell, Gen. James "Jimmy" Doolittle, Gen. Bernie Shriver, Gen. Wilbur "Bill" Creech and Gen. Curtis LeMay, General Litchfield said these men persevered and changed the course of Air Force history.

"Our Air Force has a history of great leaders rising when you need them the most, ready to make the necessary adjustments to adapt to current and future needs of our nation," the general said. "We do not know the future with absolute certainty, but we do know this, our mission is critical to our nation. The spirit of innovation has shaped the Air Force and we must continue to capitalize on that as our strength. And, our secret weapon resides in our big 'A' Airmen team."