2001: September 11 brought a huge 'paradigm shift' for reservists

  • Published
  • By Col. Mike Wilson, Midnight Express - November 2001
  • 919th Special Operations Wing
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  (Editor's Note: This commentary is republished as a historic tribute to the 919th Special Operations Wing's Midnight Express newspaper, which goes out of print beginning this month.)

As I write this article while preparing for the October UTA, I think back to the last UTA that ended less than 48 hours prior to the attacks on America. It seems like a lot longer than one month had passed. 

September 11 has changed our lives forever, especially for us as members of the Air Force Reserve. I am sure driving home on Sunday after the UTA we weren't thinking of the possibility of a call up or that we may have to be coming back to Duke Field before the month was up. Before September 11, we were confident we would have plenty notice before we might have to go on deployment. Some of us might have even been looking forward to a TDY in a few months to some nice location in the U.S. or even a short trip overseas to do some training. Of course that deployment was not going to interfere with a birthday, anniversary, Thanksgiving or Christmas. 

Even if we had to deploy for some real-world event, those things never last too long. We could always use vacation time or military leave to cover the time away from work. Heck that may even be double pay that will come in handy for those Christmas presents. 

Well as the folks at Total Quality say, September 11 was a huge "paradigm shift" for all of us. We have seen almost half of our wing called up to support Homeland defense and the campaign to rid the world of terrorism. 

This time it's not a short six-week war but, as the President says, a campaign that may last years. Who would have thought we would need to protect places right here in our own country? Our Security Forces are doing just that. Make sure you tell them they are doing a great job every time they stop you and check your ID. These forces are our first line of defense not just the people who make you slow down in that 30 mph zone.
We have the ability to provide other forces to augment many other specialties here and around the world. These include firefighters, cooks, supply troops, medical support, personnel and admin people, and communications operators. 

Our aircrews and aircraft maintainers continually ensure our Wing's flying mission is ready for any contingency. This is why we are here and we are answering the call like never before. 

We must ensure that we can sustain this effort for the long term. That means that all of us must be ready to go forward. Make sure you have your finances in order. Have all your training current. Make sure the clinic has your medical conditions up to date. Keep your employer aware of your situation. 

But probably the most important duty you have is to make sure your family is ready. The Air Force will take care of you wherever you are bit your family will be right here keeping the home operational. This is a contingency for your family, just like our activation is a contingency for you. Make sure they are aware of all the services and facilities that are available to them. Our Family Support personnel are here to help them when you are here and when you are gone. 

There are many provisions for reservists called to active duty to make the transition less of a financial hardship and ensure your job is there when you come back. 

We are lucky in this area to have many active duty families living among us. Contact your friends that have experience with family separations due to long TDYs or remote tours. Make sure you family knows how to contact your unit here at Duke Field and how to contact the Red Cross if they have an emergency, because you may not be just a phone call away. Everyone will have different things they need to so to ensure family readiness. The key is to have it done early. 

The 919th SOW is in this fight. We know our jobs and will accomplish any of the missions assigned whether they are here in Okaloosa County or half way around the world. 

We will do it because we are good and we are ready.