Not on my watch: Nuclear surety

  • Published
  • By Capt. Christopher Eyle
  • 90th Civil Engineer Squadron
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  There is a line in the movie "A Few Good Men" that always gives me chills. 

It is not the line about eating breakfast 400 yards from 2,000 Cubans; it is not the line, "You can't handle the truth." 

The one that always rings true with me takes place between two of the defense attorneys, Lieutenant Weinberg (Kevin Pollack) and Lt. Commander Galloway (Demi Moore). When talking about the two Marines they are defending in a court martial, Pollack's character asks, "Why do you like them so much?" Moore's character responds, "Because they stand upon a wall and say, 'Nothing's going to hurt you tonight, not on my watch.'" That is the line that hits home. 

That line is not specific to Marines. In my mind, that single line is the quintessential mission statement of the entire military. 

We stand guard against the evils of the world, protecting our nation, our loved ones, our way of life. Some literally do stand on a wall or guard tower, but most others stand guard in other ways. 

Everyone in the military who does their job, and does it well, is standing their post on that wall. From the operator on alert, the maintainer keeping our weapons systems ready and capable, the electrician keeping the facilities and equipment powered, to security forces member guarding the base gates -- no matter what the job or duty, combining them all allows everyone to meet the mission. There are no insignificant parts. We are one team accomplishing one goal, standing watch together. 

Today, the nation demands more of us than ever before. The United States Air Force is fighting the Global War on Terrorism around the world. We are standing watch in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Persian Gulf, Kyrgyzstan and other less advertised places. 

We are away from our families and friends doing what needs to be done. Beyond the Global War on Terror, the Air Force continues to stand watch in East Asia, Europe, Central and South America, prepared for the next contingency. Perhaps most importantly, the USAF has also stood nuclear watch since 1947. The nuclear mission of the Air Force is as important now as it was in the Cold War. It will be just as important in the future. 

The 90th Missile Wing has stood nuclear guard since 1963. For 45 years, the people assigned to this wing have been able to say, emphatically, "Nothing's going to hurt you tonight, not on my watch." With pride, we could say it yesterday; with pride, we can say it today; with pride, we will be able to say it tomorrow; and with pride, we will be able to say it for the decades to come. 

The 90th MW has stood and will continue to stand on that wall. Sleep soundly America; the Mighty Ninety is on watch.