Dedicated men and women - Database - air force personnel - Brief Article

Airman, Jan, 2003 by Louis A. Arana-Barradas

The strength of the Air Force is its people. Whether active duty, Guard, Reserve or civilian, they all work toward the same goal: to keep the Air Force flying, fighting and winning.

Simple enough. But to accomplish that key mission for the nation in today's Air Force takes nearly half a million dedicated men and women doing more than 300 jobs. A lot more than when the Wright brothers delivered their first aircraft to the military.

Not every airman flies a jet, tanker or cargo plane. They don't all direct unmanned aerial vehicles or spacecraft. In fact, most airmen play support roles -- many behind the scenes. But each job is key to the success of the Air Force mission.

Airmen take their jobs seriously. They have to. Because they know the importance of the role they play in defending the nation. They know their country is counting on them to protect its interests and way of life.

Not a problem. Airmen have been on the ramparts of the nation's defense since the advent of military aviation. They're old hands at the job of protecting the nation. And they're proud to do it -- no matter the hardships they have to endure.

The nation appreciates that.