D-Day exercises save the day Published June 26, 2009 By Robert Kodis Wing Plans and Programs chief F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Many years ago while assigned to Royal Air Forces Bentwaters, England, I had the chance to tour Normandy, where courage and triumph still echoes along D-Day's beaches, cliffs and furrows. The visit reminded me how attention to mission is fundamental to the success of American Airmen, past and present. Know the Mission One lesson of Normandy is everyone must know the mission. At every level of action, mission success requires clear goals, defined objectives and a grasp of how those objectives are to be achieved. Knowing the mission extends beyond daily to do lists. It requires recognizing how your actions affect others, including all members of the Mighty Ninety team. It requires comprehending how your work adds value to the mission of Warren and to the nation's security. It requires seizing every opportunity to improve how the Air Force provides global vigilance, global reach and global power. Knowing the mission starts with an understanding of our purpose and vision, communicated in clear and concise terms. All Airmen, not just commanders, should be able to clearly articulate the criticality of air, space and cyber dominance to all they encounter, from their peers, friends and to the public in general. Intensity of Training Another valuable lesson learned from Normandy is training. D-Day was among the most carefully crafted and meticulously planned amphibious landings in history. Yet much of D-Day's success must be attributed to the intense training that preceded the landing. Units spent months, even years, practicing assaults under every condition imaginable. The training was demanding and relentless, readying the force to meet the tremendous challenges ahead. Today, our training environments are becoming even more intense and realistic than ever. We leverage ever-increasing computing power to model operating environments with astonishing fidelity. Balancing simulation and live exercises, we train in diverse scenarios in quick succession, increasing our precision, lethality and our readiness. Our exercises incorporate emerging capabilities and threats. Every time we meet, your selfless dedication to the Air Force never ceases to impress me. I am so proud of today's Airmen and how their attention to mission and professionalism distinguishes them in all they do above the rest.