ANAHEIM, Calif. -- In opening the 2008 Airlift/Tanker Association convention here Nov. 7, Gen. Duncan McNabb not only spoke about the evolution of U.S. Transportation Command since the days of its first commander, but also the mobility Airmen who contribute to its success.
Citing how the Air Force has made its air mobility the "crown jewel" of the world's mobility air forces, the newest U.S. Transportation Command commander said America's success in the mobility business is unprecedented.
"Our strategic ability to move is like no other nation has," General McNabb said. "Our ability to influence events very quickly makes a huge difference."
He added, ""When you think about our nation and our warfighters out there, they are depending on our ability to do what we do without any worry and we do it. How tremendous is that? I believe I lead a championship team because there is no question...this is a championship team."
In tune with the convention's theme, "From Berlin to Baghdad and Beyond," General McNabb related how the Berlin Airlift of 1948 was a keystone event marking the abilities of air mobility more than 60 years ago. He noted how, looking back, all Airmen should consider what the airlift was and what was at stake.
"There were questions for a new Air Force at the time, such as how do we stop Soviet expansion? Or, how can we stop them when country after country was rolling under the Iron Curtain? At some point, are they possibly going to take over Germany. Are they going to take over Berlin?" he said.
The options to get food to starving people in East Berlin were limited, General McNabb said, but "one other way" was airlift. And it was through airlift where he said people like retired Col. Gail Halvorsen, also known as the "Candy Bomber," brought air mobility to the forefront.
"Gail Halvorsen said this is not about delivering coal," General McNabb said. "He said it's not about delivering wheat - it's about saving people. It's about saving children."
General McNabb said the courageousness of the veterans of the Berlin Airlift translate to what the Air Force does today. He said it is what Airmen are doing "every day."
"When you think about that, people depend upon us all across the world," General McNabb said. "Look at when (earlier this year) you saw us going into Georgia with its capital Tblisi under fire. We said, 'Send the mobility folks in there and let's do it that way. You could see the appreciation in the faces of their people."
The general also reflected on the events of Sept. 11, 2001. On that day, he worked in the Pentagon and still recalls what happened that day quite vividly and how it affected him.
"I was angry." General McNabb said. "I was angry, not because of the Pentagon (attack) because you could say that was a military target, but the twin towers [World Trade Center in New York City] was not. It was the killing of innocent men, women and children.
"We all know this [the Global War on Terrorism] is a battle of good over evil, of hope over despair, of freedom over tyranny," General McNabb said. "It is about the future of mankind - there is no doubt about that."
He said after that event, America didn't have to look far for volunteers for a response to the acts of terrorism.
"When [our leaders] looked around and said, 'Who will go and who will defend us against this great evil?', all of you raised your hand for freedom and said, 'Here we are - send us.' When I travel to
Balad or Bagram or Kandahar, I see the spirit in which you do your work -- it absolutely blows me away. It is tremendous. The sacrifice is very real. The courage is very real. We have in fact raised the next 'greatest generation.'"
General McNabb added, "You rose to the sound of the guns. You've been tested under fire. You are battle worthy. For the rest of your life you know that no matter what path you go that you not only raised your hand for freedom but you also put yourself out there for others. You went for a great cause - that great cause of freedom."
The general also praised family members for their support in the success of air mobility and more specifically since the start of the GWOT. He encouraged convention attendees to go home and thank their loved ones for everything they have done.
"A person can put themselves in harm's way a lot easier than they can put a loved one in harm's way," General McNabb said. "It is a very different equation. So I thank all of you. I thank you and if you all could do one thing for me you make sure when you go home you make sure you tell your loved ones thank you. Thank them for their sacrifice. Thank them for allowing you to serve this great nation and this great cause of freedom. It is, in fact, huge."
Overall, General McNabb said he is proud to be a part of, and a product of, the Air Force's air mobility community.
"Nobody comes close to what you do," General McNabb said. "When it comes to taking our warfighters to the fight, nobody can touch you.
"It's not the aerial porter or the aircrew," he said. "It's not the intel folks. It's not the planner. It's not the logistician who works all through this. It's everybody bringing the whole thing together so you can look at it and say, 'My goodness, that is just magic.'"