Equal opportunity: We’re one team with one fight

  • Published
  • By Jim Hunt
  • Equal Opportunity director
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  The United States Air Force is one of the most culturally diverse organizations in the world. 

Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Donley, stated, "We are America's Airmen, military and civilian, from all walks of life, drawn to the call of integrity, service, and excellence. Our mission is to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace. To do so, we must provide every Airman the opportunity to achieve excellence. Mutual respect is fundamental to this endeavor." 

The Air Force may be the first experience for many Airmen working and socializing within a diverse group of talented people. We are different: in race, color, religion, sex, national origin and age. Some of us are sick or have disabilities. 

However, everyone is striving to achieve the same goal. That goal is protecting and sustaining the United States and its way of life through mission accomplishment. Our uniqueness is a great strength for the Air Force and should be used to create new ideas: different ways to solve problems and promote camaraderie. 

One team, one fight and, all I see is blue, could easily be our motto here at the Mighty Ninety. Utilizing our diversity is an operational necessity. 

In the words of comedian Larry the Cable Guy: We need to work together to git-r-done. 

We do not have to lose our unique identity in doing so. However, it is absolutely vital for us to work together as wing men in order to complete our critical nuclear mission. We need to remember we have a common purpose: defending this great country and way of life. 

The Air Force and DoD policies promote diversity among members and promote the usage of Airmen based on merit, skills, abilities and performance alone. 

Gen. Roger Brady, former Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff, summed it up best when he said, "The United States Air Force, and the United States military at large, cannot afford to operate in any other way then to be respectful of cultural differences. We must respect each other and respect and understand our coalition partners who may be of different cultures. It's not only the right thing to do, it's operationally imperative."