Rapid, Ready Weasels Published Jan. 23, 2018 By Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Hoglund 20th Fighter Wing SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Gen. Mike Holmes, Air Combat Command commander, stated “every Airman’s job is to control and exploit the air. Whether you’re flying or fixing something, providing intelligence for it, making identification cards, or drawing blood in the hospital, everything you do every day is designed to help us control and exploit the air.” As uniformed and civilian Airmen, we must understand our roles and responsibilities as the Air Force’s premier Suppression of Enemy Air Defense wing and how we, as a team, fit into controlling and exploiting the air. There are two critical attributes that fuel the power of Airmen, thus influencing our ability to employ precision air power and control the air on a global scale. First, we must be rapid. The battlespace is changing and our enemy will continue to have a vote. The “when” will not always come with advanced notice or allow sufficient time to accomplish the things we wish we could. It requires us to not only be physically rapid, but requires all Airmen to have a rapid mindset. Deployment lead times may not be negotiable, and delays of any kind may not be acceptable. You may be the first chalk to arrive in an austere location or be required to receive, bed down, and sustain follow-on forces or immediately begin to generate and fly combat sorties. As Airmen, the ability to be rapid means ensuring our gear fits, is functional, and most importantly is organized to grab at a moment’s notice. “Rapid” means guaranteeing ourselves and fellow Airmen are ready to deploy tonight and fight tomorrow. Being rapid does not just apply to workplace requirements, it also includes making sure our families are prepared. It is absolutely paramount that we have powers of attorney, wills, and family care plans that are not just up-to-date, but executable at all times. Being rapid sets the foundation that we, the 20th Fighter Wing, are the go-to wing when our nation calls.Second, we must be ready. How we task Airmen to the fight changes based on requirements and commander’s intent. What doesn’t change, regardless of methodologies, is an Airman’s ability to be ready to employ in any environment. The power of an Airman’s readiness is strengthened through Air Force and individual training requirements. Training is a continuous process that doesn’t stop when you become a 7-level, an instructor pilot, or a commander. We must maximize every opportunity to hone our skills, learn new techniques and procedures, and remain proficient in our core tasks to execute the wing’s SEAD mission. Whether that is a Rapid, Ready Shooter, Gambler, or Tiger exercise, an Agile Combat Support bare base exercise, or a wing-wide Phase I or II exercise, these training opportunities will only sharpen our daggers for the next fight.Likewise, our Security Forces and Civil Engineer heroes conduct training to enhance our ability to survive and operate in any environment. We have a mighty combat support team providing the necessary training, but it falls on us as individuals to remain disciplined and resolute in our readiness. An Airman’s medical requirements are key components to operate at peak performance and to maintain resilience. The Air Force’s premier medical warriors in the 20th FW remain vigilant, ensuring every Airman is physically and mentally fit. No matter the time or the place, as Airmen, as Shaw Weasels, and as a family, we will be rapid, we will be ready, and we will win because “Air Power” is the power of Airmen!