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Our adversaries are watching
Posted 8/27/2012 Updated 8/27/2012
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Commentary by Lt. Col. Ryan Link
96th Bomb Squadron commander
8/27/2012 - BARKSDALR AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- At the grey borders of American interests, our adversaries continually probe for any weaknesses. They watch and wait. They are always looking for a window of opportunity to influence the United States political calculus through the threat, or use, of military force. It is Team Barksdale's job to ensure that our adversaries never get that opportunity. American deterrence demands it.
Our nation is fighting a war that, after many years, is winding down and will eventually end. Although the war exacted a great cost in both lives and money, some classify it as "low intensity." Many of Barksdale's Airmen took the fight to the enemy, but a large part of our contribution to winning the current war comes from the credibility of our forces postured at home. The credibility of Team Barksdale, a critical tenet of deterrence, in the nuclear enterprise and global strike ensured today's war stayed low-intensity. The credibility derived from Team Barksdale's professionalism and dedication to war fighting, deterred our adversaries from escalating the current conflict into something more dangerous for American interests.
Although the low-intensity conflict environment has existed throughout the lifetimes of many Airmen, we must understand we may not fight future wars the same way. It is tempting for us to assume we know what the next war will look like, but we know, the next war will not look like this one. Our adversaries will make sure of that. While we continually prove our credibility, we must also guarantee our capability to fight any conflict. American deterrence will work only if our adversaries are convinced that Team Barksdale is dedicated to the profession of arms, and when we fight, we win.
Convincing our enemies of our dedication to continually improve our capability is no easy task. We must constantly prove to our adversaries that our dedication to winning is an essential part of our makeup. Team Barksdale knows nothing will affect American interests more than a lost war, so we continually strive to advance our tactics and abilities. Aircrew sit in the vault studying tactics and applying them in training deters our adversaries. Continuous diligence of our gate guards deters our adversaries. Meeting maintenance timelines and generating sorties deters our adversaries. We know ensuring the right person is at the right place, at the right time deters our adversaries. Passing inspections deters our adversaries. Team Barksdale knows everything we do, everyday, deters our adversaries. Everything.
The team assembled at Barksdale is the best the nation has to offer and we make deterrence successful for the U.S. What we do every day deters our adversaries from escalating the current conflict and helps prevent future wars from occurring. The U.S. does not look to fight, but our leaders know if our adversaries force us into one, Team Barksdale will rapidly respond and win. Our leaders are confident we understand what we do every day matters. Why? Because Team Barksdale knows, the adversaries of American are watching and waiting.
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