Commander holds CC calls, thanks Misawa community for its hard work

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
  • 35th Fighter Wing public affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Col. T.J. O'Shaughnessy, 35th Fighter Wing commander, held three commander's calls Oct. 18-19.

During his commander's calls, Colonel O'Shaughnessy thanked the wing for all its outstanding work throughout the year and stressed the importance of reenergizing for the year to come.

"Since January 2007 we've been doing some amazing things," Colonel O'Shaughnessy said.

The 13th and 14th Expeditionary Fighter Squadrons and Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Units spent approximately 253 total days in the area of responsibility. While there, 11,510 combat hours were flown during 2,765 combat sorties. The 13th and 14th EFS dropped 168 guided munitions and 3,654 20mm rounds in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Numerous people from other units at Misawa deployed throughout the AOR, such as the civil engineer personnel who deployed in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom or the medical group personnel who deployed for third country national duty. In total, Misawa deployed nearly 1,000 people in AEFs 5/6 and 7/8.

"Our mission here did not stop, even though we had about 30 percent of our people deployed for almost 10 months," he said. "We had a great year despite everything we had going on."

In March, the 35th Fighter Wing received an overall rating of "Excellent" in the Pacific Air Forces Operational Readiness Inspection. The wing was also able to successfully complete its flying hour program in September. All while maintaining world class mission support.

The hard work and excellence from Misawa personnel was also reflected in statistics. Safety mishaps, spouse/child abuse and drinking under the influence violations were all down in fiscal year 2007. There were only 28 reportable mishaps in 2007 compared to the 55 in 2006. Maltreatment incidents were down 28 percent from last year, while participation in prevention programs is up 146 percent.

"We are taking care of each other and I want to encourage you to continue taking care of each other," the colonel said.

After thanking the Misawa team for the work they've done, Colonel O'Shaughnessy prepared them for the next six months. In the coming months, he would like Misawa to focus on operations at Misawa, training, process improvements, recharging batteries and the Unit Compliance Inspection scheduled for November 2008.

In order to start the next six months off on the right foot, Colonel O'Shaughnessy announced a wing down day/appreciation day for Oct. 26.

"Let's try to celebrate what was accomplished in the AOR deployment and celebrate what was accomplished here," he said. "Let's thank not only the people who deployed, but those who stayed behind. Those people make Misawa one of the best places I've seen, as far as taking care of people."

Colonel O'Shaughnessy continued to talk about what makes him proud to be at Misawa and his goals during his time as commander here.

"What I'm most proud of is that I really feel that Misawa Air Base is home - I feel like I am at home here," the Colonel said to his audience. "My personal goal is to make Misawa the highlight of your Air Force career. That will happen with three things - professional satisfaction, personal satisfaction and experiencing Japan and the Far East."