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New foam aids fire fighting

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jeffery Shinholster, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, tightens the hose connector so that foam may flow freely, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., March 10, 2014. The new compressed air foam system can make the water hose up to four times lighter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael A. Cossaboom/Released)

Shaw security forces maintain tactical readiness

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Timothy “TJ” Knittel, 20th Security Force Squadron security forces specialist, practices M9 movement shooting at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Feb. 28, 2014. Knittel, along with approximately 20 other security forces personnel, had a day of training which consisted of two-man movements, advancing on a target while using proper communication and shooting. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael A. Cossaboom/Released)

F-16s line-up at EOR

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jordan Cotton, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 77th Aircraft Maintenance Unit tactical aircraft maintainer, salutes Maj. Justin Lewis, 55th Fighter Squadron F-16CJ Fighting Falcon pilot, before take-off at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., July 23, 2014.Airman inspecting the aircrafts at the end of the run way before take-off to ensure it is functioning properly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Michael A. Cossaboom/Released)

3 pillars of mission readiness: Job knowledge

Published Aug. 4, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Michael A. Cossaboom
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Editor's note: This is part three of a three-part series on three essential keys to maintaining mission readiness.

"Excellence in all we do" is one of the core values Airmen live by. It can be applied to everything Airmen do, especially their job.

"It's important to learn your job now so you are ready to perform your duties while you are deployed," said Chief Master Sgt. Charles Mills, 20th Fighter Wing command chief. "Once you deploy, the Air Force needs you to be able to hit the ground running. Due to the high OPS tempo in the area of operations, there is no time to train, you have to be combat ready on day one!"

While deployed, Airmen could be put in high-risk situations that require them to perform their assigned tasks with no room for error.

"Some jobs are a matter of life or death," said Mills. "Whether you're a Defender, Crew Chief, or a Firefighter, there are people who rely on you to know your job. People could die if you don't."

Tech. Sgt. Matthew Vincent, 20th Fighter Wing safety technician, has been in the Air Force for 12 years, and he also expressed the importance of knowing your job.

"While taking time to learn your job, it's also important to keep an open mind," said Vincent. "Yes you should learn the basics to your job and what you do, but always keep an open mind. You will come across different people all the time who can teach you something new."

Vincent also explained that no matter what your rank is, be ready to learn from anyone.

"Chiefs learn from Airmen all the time," said Vincent. "Everybody has a different way of looking at things, so listen to what they have to say."

Every job in the Air Force plays a unique role in the effectiveness of the mission. If one Airman fails to learn their job it effects the entire wing, which is why it's imperative to keep an open mind while learning the job.