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What will your legacy be?

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Bryan Haderlie
  • 320th Missile Squadron commander
While I was on nuclear alert at Juliett launch control center Aug. 29, my granddaughter, Emily, was born in Cameron, Mo. 

Later that weekend, I watched home-movie footage of my grandparents and their posterity that was filmed in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. 

Watching those movies of my ancestors, and hearing my granddaughter's sweet cry, caused me to reflect on the meaning of my own life and the legacy I will leave for my posterity. 

As Airmen and civilians serving in the United States Air Force, we all have the opportunity to leave a truly significant legacy of excellence and dedicated service as we fulfill our oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. We, who serve in the "nuclear enterprise," have a particularly profound duty to reinforce and reinvigorate the legacy of excellence established by our Nation's nuclear deterrent forces throughout the last 50 years. 

Department of Defense leaders, our sister services, and the American people are watching us closely to see whether we are worthy of their trust and confidence as stewards and operators of nuclear weapons. In this endeavor, we must not fail. 

The June 2008 National Defense Strategy states, "We must maintain the capabilities required to defeat state adversaries, including those armed with nuclear weapons ... the United States will maintain its nuclear arsenal as a primary deterrent to nuclear attack, and the New Triad remains a cornerstone of strategic deterrence." 

As the only truly prompt global strike platform in the United States' arsenal, ICBMs form the foundation of our national defense strategy. Fully one-third of our nation's ICBM forces reside here at Warren. 

Our mission is absolutely critical to the security and preservation of our nation and our way of life. 

Every member of "Team Warren" can take great pride in their contribution to our mission of "Global Strike: On time, Any time, Every time." The missileers who operate and maintain the ICBMs; the sentry on guard at the weapon storage area or at a launch facility; the dental technician at the clinic; the journeymen who maintain the base and missile field infrastructure; the child care providers at our child development center; the contracting, services and comptroller personnel -- all play a vital role in achieving the 90th Missile Wing mission. 

Every member of the team shapes the legacy we leave for future members of team Warren and for the nation. 

Years from now when Emily is grown, she may ask me, "Grandpa, what did you do in the Air Force?" 

If she does ask, I will tell her with a deep sense of satisfaction that I played a key part in keeping our nation's enemies at bay. 

I will tell her I, together with many of America's finest sons and daughters, performed our nuclear deterrent mission with precision and excellence. 

I will tell her that we served quietly, without fanfare or recognition. 

I will tell her that because we served well, our nation was free to use every instrument of national power to promote peace, freedom and prosperity here at home and across the globe. 

It is a privilege to serve with each of you as we strive to build a legacy of excellence.