Parks: 94th AW Airmen must 'Make Results Count' to address the evolving security landscape

  • Published
  • By Ms. Suzanne Presto
  • 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Col. Michael B. Parks, commander of the 94th Airlift Wing, laid out a new strategy for the Wing at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in its mission to support Air Force Reserve Command Airmen, 17 tenant organizations and two strategic partners.

The new mission, vision and priorities for the 94th Airlift Wing are:

MISSION: Ready Reserve Airmen providing cunning installation support, rugged agile combat capability and courageous tactical airlift and aeromedical evacuation!

VISION: The Big Square A Way, Making Our Results Count

PRIORITIES:
- Airman and Family Advantage
- Workplace Our Airmen Deserve
- Readiness and Resiliency
- Competitive Advantage

The vision and priorities are a nod to the 94th Airlift Wing’s motto of “Results Count” and a throwback to the unit’s WWII days as the 94th Bomb Group, which employed the same motto. They highlight the importance of Airmen and their families, an optimized workplace, ready and resilient Airmen and a competitive advantage reached through mission training and force design optimization.

“The new mission, vision and priorities are the first step in our Wing’s transformation journey into a Deployable Combat Wing construct,” said Parks.

“The question I expect people will be asking is ‘how?’” explained Parks. “How do we generate a more resilient, mission-ready force? How do we optimize our workplace and installation functions? The answer is that I want everyone to look at their roles, responsibilities, processes and service as a ready Reserve Airman in a new way.”

At a time when the Air Force finds itself focusing on global power competition and changing its deployable force structure creating Deployable Combat Wings, there is no reason to say, ‘this is how it’s always been done,’ Parks elaborated.

“As Reservists, we have the unique ability to bring to bear all we’ve learned in both our military and civilian careers, and we can use that information to optimize our training, strengthen our proficiency and resiliency, and more effectively provide the nation’s surge capacity,” said Parks. “The how resides within you. You are our greatest asset, and the transformation of our force starts with you, which is now reflected in our new strategy.”

When Parks assumed command in August 2023, he said even though the public often associates the installation with C-130s, in his opinion, it is the Airmen who are the true center of gravity to ensuring the success and future of the installation.

The new mission, vision, priorities and objectives help solidify the importance the Wing’s leadership places on Airmen, and come at a time when the entire Department of the Air Force is evolving to successfully compete, deter and win in today’s strategic environment.