Retired general speaks to Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jennifer Viveiros
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  A select group of Airman attended a guest-speaker breakfast Dec. 10 hosted by a retired general who has significant ties to Warren.

Maj. Gen. (ret) Timothy McMahon began his 32-year Air Force career in January of 1971 as a member of the 90th Missile Maintenance Squadron and retired in May of 2003 as the commander of Twentieth Air Force.

The general said he wanted to visit the base because his fondest memories of his time in the Air Force are of working in the ICBM environment.

"Any minute in the ICBM force is a great minute for me," he said. "No combat force on the planet is more powerful than you are."

General McMahon said it is especially important for him to remain in contact with ICBM Airmen because they are the backbone of the nuclear deterrence mission.

"Success and failure of this mission depends on Airman muscle and candor," he said. "This is a complex mission and weapon system.

"Take pride in what you do because millions of Americans are silently grateful for your work," he continued.

The general reminded the Airman their job is uniquely essential because the ICBM force sends a clear message to the rest of the world.

"No matter what violence the nation faces, we are prepared and ready to protect ourselves," he said.

"The standards you uphold are not found anywhere else in the Air Force," he added. "There is no room for error."

In closing remarks, General McMahon congratulated the Airmen on a job well done on Warren's recent combat capability evaluation and limited no notice inspection, in which they received mostly excellent ratings.

He added that this superior performance is a great way to begin Warren's transition into Air Force Global Strike Command -- a command that brings focus to the nuclear mission.

General McMahon finished his speech by reiterating the significance of the nuclear mission and role the Airmen play in protecting the nation.

"When you do your job well, it resonates and sends a message to the nation in terms of national security and moral impact," he said. "Have no fear in what you do; deliver consistently because what you do does matter."