Historical perspective

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. David Burbridge
  • 90th Missile Wing History
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  During an inspection, things can get frustrating quick: Just when your file plan is in order, your co-worker decides to create a new binder; you seem to have an "unclassified" or "Privacy Act" sticker on every piece of furniture, and your starting to wonder if your coffee mug should have a sticker too; and rumors are flying that there is going to be a recall about 3 a.m. Sunday. 

Then, there is the snow you have to shovel, but you're wondering why shovel when the temperature is going to be 50 degrees in two days. 

Relax, my fellow Airmen. Take a break, and get some perspective. As the age old adage goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same is still true today. 

Take 1967 for instance: The world was going through major changes. Israel was fighting a war with the Arabs -- "The Six Day War." The Vietnam War was in full swing. The Soviet Union had ratified a treaty with the U.S. and UK banning nuclear weapons in space. A fire in Apollo 1 took the lives of brave astronauts. And there was even a change made to the Constitution with the ratification of the 25th Amendment. 

Even with all this turmoil, which seems to parallel our own time, the 90th Strategic Missile Wing had the same issues as we have now. The Air Police, as they were known then, had a "manning deficit put (ting) this AFSC in the critical manning column again.
 
Due to the continuing conflict in Vietnam ..." There were maintenance issues: "Modifications on Blast Doors" and "UHF installations." 

They had there important visitors: "65 visiting members of NATO." They went through changes of command on all levels. 

They certainly had their inspections: an SAV, 2 ORE, a no-notice ORI, a 15th Air Force Commander's Facilities Inspection, and a 3901 SMES...evaluation of missile activities. 

And with all the stresses of the world, just like ours, the Mighty Ninety survived and passed all there inspections. 

The Might Ninety has always survived, but more importantly, they prevailed. From the sobering 820 service members who sacrificed their lives serving in the South Pacific during World War II to the Airmen of the 90th who valiantly serve and sacrifice their lives for the Global War on Terrorism, we have been there. And the Mighty Ninety will always be there, prevailing. 

What we need to remember is that what is being asked of us now, is what has been asked of us in the past and will undoubtedly be asked of us in the future. These days of tightening budgets, long hours, inspections, deployments and shortfalls have always been with us, and having the ability to adapt, sticking with the core values and dusting yourself off when you do fall--you will not fail.