Memorandum for All Eighth Air Force Personnel Published Dec. 2, 2011 By Maj. Gen. Stephen W. Wilson, USAF Commander Eighth Air Force BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- I am truly honored and humbled to be leading "The Mighty Eighth," JFCC Global Strike, and Task Force 204. We have an amazing, elite team of dedicated professionals! The purpose of this Memo is to outline my initial perspective and lay out my priorities and intent. Today our military is fully engaged in operations across the globe, enabling Combatant Commanders to successfully execute their missions. As we look to the future, we see plenty of challenges and uncertainty: potential for more violent extremism, shifting regional balances of power, and the proliferation of advanced technology. Added to this a fiscal environment unlike any we have seen in over 30 years. With the fiscal challenges we face as a nation, preserving the readiness and combat capability of our forces is one of our prime imperatives. It is therefore critical that we prioritize what is truly important while always seeking innovative, alternative, and smarter ways to accomplish our essential mission. Mission: Safeguard America's interest through strategic deterrence and global combat power. We will be America's best prepared force to apply global strike capability across the spectrum of conflict should deterrence fail. Vision: An integrated Team - mission focused & highly disciplined - that continually improves people and forces while strengthening both our nuclear culture and conventional global strike capabilities. We will remain the nation's most relevant, prepared, and decisive warfighting units. Priorities: 1. Deter. Guarantee America's strategic nuclear force remains safe, secure, and effective. 2. Defend. Continuously improve our Global Strike capability by being able to rapidly hold any target in the world as risk with nuclear or conventional weapons to safeguard America and our friends worldwide. 3. Integrate. Win today's fight as a full mission partner with USSTRATCOM and Combatant Commands worldwide while planning for all of tomorrow's challenges. 4. Prepare. Conduct the most demanding and realistic training, exercises and assessments; learn and adapt so we are ready to smartly execute deliberate, contingency or crisis plans to meet any unforeseen challenge. 5. Execute. Enhance our ability to employ global striking power and ISR with the command and control operations rapidly, effectively, efficiently, and decisively - across the globe. Accomplishing these five priorities will create a positive feedback loop that will continue to bolster the United States' reputation as the world's most responsive and capable strategic actor. We will continue to provide America with a wide range of strategic options for rapid power projection with minimal vulnerability and maximum precision. Previous generations committed their blood, sweat, and lives to defend America and make us the nation we are today. We in the Eight Air Force, JFCC-GS, and TF 204 recognize that we stand on the backs of giants who came before us. Our forbearer's courage and services during previous conflicts set the standard for those who serve today. Yet, those who serve in the Armed Forces today have no less sense of commitment, courage, and purpose - and will meet any challenge. As President Kennedy once said, "If not us, who? If not now, when?" It is now our time in the breach. We can only accomplish these priorities if we do them together - as a united team. Let's make a difference, make us all better, and make our service matter. Carpe Diem! Thank you and your families for your selfless service and sacrifice.