Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein / AFNS,
Washington DC: Heritage, future innovations and focus on the joint warfighter are three key points in the newly released Air Force Vision document, “Lasting Heritage…Limitless Horizons: A Warfighter's Vision.”
This vision document, released to Airmen worldwide Feb. 28, replaces the older “Vision 2020” version, which was released in 1997, and focused on preparation for the then-upcoming turn of the century.
“Many of the same themes appear in both documents, such as innovation and Airmen as warfighters” said Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne. “(Yet) the overall theme (of the recent document) stresses that Airmen will continue to live up to their rich heritage, and push the Air Force to an even better horizon.”
“Heritage to horizon” is a strong message in the document, exemplified by timelines, quotes from past senior leaders and brief reviews on past Air Force missions.
“From the days of Chenault and aviation, from Schriever, from LeMay, from Stuart Symington who was the first Secretary of the Air Force, it has always been about innovation,” Secretary Wynne said. “It has always been about pursuit of excellence. It's always been about using and pushing the boundaries of technology into a future that was relatively unknown.”
While the document is heavy in Air Force history, its outline for the Air Force's future is made clear with references to new technology, total force concepts, and fighting the global war on terrorism.
“To realize the vision, we have three priorities: maintain a razor-sharp focus on fighting this global war on terrorism, continue developing our Airmen, and recapitalize and modernize our inventory,” said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff. “Meeting these challenges will require bold new initiatives. Our Airmen understand this intuitively. They build on a distinguished and lasting heritage. They will push the Air Force beyond the horizon.”
“We updated the vision to show how the Air Force is and will remain engaged in the Global War on Terror, (and how it) continues to embrace dramatic business practices and strives to achieve our bold future,” Secretary Wynne said. “The chief of staff and I are committed to developing the best Airmen and providing them with the best equipment and weapons to do their job.”
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray wrote in the document that “the enemy is erratic and ruthless, but no match for the skillful and dedicated Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen serving today.
“Our unity and integration is better than ever, and we will improve our interoperability even more in the future. Together, we will fight hard and win decisively,” he wrote.
Secretary Wynne said he believes the new vision document is an important information tool for Airmen because it provides a clear explanation of the Air Force's mission, history and plans for the future.
“I would like Airmen to take away from this vision document that there is limitless horizons,” he said. “Airmen are allowed to innovate … and as they've always been, be free-thinking, risk-taking warfighters.”
