Take time to remember those who have served Published Jan. 8, 2010 By Lt. Col. Kiley Stinson 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron commander F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- The series, Airmen in the Portraits of Courage, tells the story of Airman 1st Class Christian Jackson who's December 2005 convoy rolled through an Iraqi village while carrying supplies to Balad Air Base, Baghdad. The 21-year-old Airman, deployed from Kirtland AFB, N.M., saw a muzzle flash and within moments, the night erupted with gun fire. Earlier that night, Airman Jackson voluntarily traded his normal driving duties to be the gunner for the second gun truck, responsible for providing firepower and force protection for tractor-trailers hauling cargo. The first element of Airman Jackson's convoy passed underneath an overpass when they were ambushed. In response, Airman Jackson turned his turret and unloaded 100 rounds from the .50 caliber weapon despite it jamming twice. When he ran out of ammunition, he switched to his M-4 rifle, firing until the convoy was out of the kill zone. In the light of the following day, there were six confirmed enemy kills. With only two years in the Air Force, Airman Jackson handled the pressure of the moment like a seasoned veteran. It wasn't until after the incident was over that he realized the intensity of the danger. "At the time, I was just concerned about laying down fire to protect everyone in the convoy," he said. As we transition into another year and make resolutions anew, take a minute to remember those currently serving here and abroad to guarantee the freedoms and the independence many often take for granted. Also, take a minute to reflect on those like Airman Jackson and the millions who have served before him. Their dedication to our core values has helped shape this country from its inception as well as the world we know today. I challenge you to resolve to make them your own. Integrity has always been a cornerstone of military service. From Patrick Henry, who stated, "give me liberty or give me death," during the American Revolution, to the prisoners of war from Hanoi Hilton, Vietnam, to those serving today, integrity has been a consistent trait. Without it we can't effectively or efficiently accomplish our assigned missions, nor can we expect the faith and trust of our civilian leadership and the American public we defend. No less important than integrity is service before self. Every service member, past and present, at home or abroad, embodies this concept. The draft ended three decades ago, and today's is an all volunteer force. Despite the combination of reduced Air Force manning and unprecedented operational tempo, the Air Force continues to meet its recruiting goals and actively supports the War on Terror around the globe. The stories of the Airmen in the Portraits of Courage series exemplify this trait. Their stories also illustrate excellence in the performance of their duties. Today's Air Force is smaller yet much more responsive and lethal than any other in the history of airpower. This capability is derived from and demands the excellence of Airmen everywhere. From a precision munitions strike with no collateral damage to Airmen filling thousands of joint expeditionary taskings to those maintainers, operators and security forces ensuring 50 years of ICBM deterrence, the excellence of our Airmen is always on display and makes this the most powerful, most respected Air Force in history. I hope you all have a great 2010 and occasionally pause to remember those who couldn't be here to enjoy it with us, especially those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. They live our core values each and every day and ensure the current and future success of our Air Force. Hopefully you've resolved to do the same.