Remember the third verse Published June 14, 2011 By Lt. Col. Bradley Bird 43rd Fighter Squadron commander TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Since September 11, 2001, our armed forces have been engaged in the long war on terror. Due to the devastating blow the United States Air Force levied on Iraq prior to September 11 and on Afghanistan afterwards, we have enjoyed free reign of the skies in southwest Asia. This is a true example of ensuring air dominance, our primary mission here at Tyndall. The global war on terror has morphed primarily into a ground-based conflict, hunting down terrorists and killing them where they operate. Unfortunately today, you don't hear much talk in the news about the importance of air dominance. This dilemma is also clearly highlighted by our nation's current distribution of defense resources. So what does all this mean? It's up to us, as members of the greatest Air Force history has ever seen, to realize, understand, and promote the importance of air dominance. More importantly, it's our duty to protect our heritage and identity. Although we are heavily tasked to support ground forces in the current conflict, we must never forget the importance of equipping and training our air forces for the worst possible scenario - a major theater of war. No member of the U.S. military has been killed by an enemy airstrike in over half a century. My fear is that we, as Americans, and especially our military, now take air superiority for granted. As Airmen, we cannot affect politics, economics, or senior leaders' decisions. However, it's our duty as Airmen to defend our culture in the Air Force. We must preach the importance of air dominance to anyone who will listen. It should be common practice to remind our U.S. Army, U.S. Marine, and U.S. Special Operations Forces brethren that no troops could operate freely in Afghanistan if under attack by enemy aircraft. This privilege has been provided by the Air Force from 1990 to the present day. There are certain concepts I always remember as an Airman. Our primary instrument of war is the aerospace vehicle. Our ability to protect, generate, and employ these machines is the sole measure of success. Airmen think of warfare on a global scale, not in kilometers. We do physical training as a measure to stay in shape for sortie generation and military bearing, not for the purpose of marching to war. We don't say "Ooh-rah!".... I hope you get my point. Everyone should truly understand that our sole mission is to fly, fight, and win! If you haven't contemplated our identity as an Air Force recently, I challenge you to do so. Go home and read about the air battles of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Allied Force, not because it is a professional military education assignment, but because it defines our service. Most importantly, the next time you attend an Air Force function and rise to sing the Air Force song, REMEMBER THE THIRD VERSE. See you on the flight line! The Air Force Song (full lyrics): Off we go into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun; Here they come zooming to meet our thunder, At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun! (Give 'er the gun!) Down we dive, spouting our flame from under, Off with one helluva roar! We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey! Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force! Additional verses: Minds of men fashioned a crate of thunder, Sent it high into the blue; Hands of men blasted the world asunder; How they lived God only knew! (God only knew then!) Souls of men dreaming of skies to conquer Gave us wings, ever to soar! With scouts before and bombers galore. Hey! Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force! Bridge: "A Toast to the Host" Here's a toast to the host Of those who love the vastness of the sky, To a friend we send a message of his brother men who fly. We drink to those who gave their all of old, Then down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold. A toast to the host of men we boast, the U.S. Air Force! Zoom! Off we go into the wild sky yonder, Keep the wings level and true; If you'd live to be a grey-haired wonder Keep the nose out of the blue! (Out of the blue, boy!) Flying men, guarding the nation's border, We'll be there, followed by more! In echelon we carry on. Hey! Nothing will stop the U.S. Air Force!