2009 Holiday Greetings from Gen. and Mrs. Busch

During the holiday season, it is appropriate for us to reflect on the year that has passed and consider our accomplishments. I assure you, 2009 has been an excellent year for Team Hill and I know that you will find satisfaction in what you've achieved. I'd like to share with you a few examples.

Team Hill successfully hosted one of three nationwide Air Force Weeks -- and exceeded expectations! We worked hard to plan and execute an extremely complex 10-day Air Force Week campaign. It included 38 separate events spread across the Wasatch Front and effectively focused our regional community on the mission of the Air Force. Air Force Week culminated in a fantastic open house and air show that welcomed almost 400,000 people to Hill Air Force Base.

In the program management arena, we continued to meet urgent operational needs for America's warfighters. The F-16 Beyond Line-of-Sight radio is just one of many examples. Until recently, a Marine under heavy enemy fire on a remote Afghanistan hillside could not talk directly with the fighter pilot sent to provide an airstrike. By providing the F-16 community the BLOS radio capability, we've eliminated the previous back-and-forth relay required over C2 networks. Now our troops on the ground have direct communications with their close air support.

2009 was named "the Year of Compliance" in the 309th Maintenance Wing. In addition to improving the nuclear enterprise on numerous fronts, the wing used the Aerospace Quality Maintenance Standard (AMQS), to look deep wing-wide at technical data deficiencies and internal process improvement opportunities. Closing out 2009 by baselining our compliance efforts, the wing will export the effort to our System Program Offices to tackle improvements to technical information, and will work internally to robust their configuration control protocols.

Looking forward toward 2010, we are wise to review the areas in which we must continue to strive to achieve our center goals. We must continue to make strides in building an infallible nuclear enterprise. We persist in our aim to make Hill AFB a world class repair, overhaul and sustainment organization. Our efficient and effective acquisition and life-cycle processes are key to attaining this goal. The people of Team Hill, and the families who support them, continue to be our greatest asset. Our ability to protect and develop our workforce remains an important goal. And finally, we look to be responsible stewards of our government and natural resources, ensuring that we use and conserve our resources as if they were our own.

During the holidays, as you gather with family and friends, I ask that you take time to remember those who are deployed. There are more than 28,000 Air Force men and women deployed around the globe supporting our combatant commanders. Approximately 350 of these Airmen are from Hill AFB. Their family and friends celebrate with an empty chair this year as their loved one is off defending our great country from tyranny and those who seek to do us harm. Please remember these service members and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

Finally, before you travel this holiday season, please take stock in your own safety. Be mindful of the risks in traveling through hazardous weather conditions. Assess fatigue, weather and stress in yourself and others. If you choose to drink alcohol, designate a driver to ensure everyone arrives home safely. It is always better to arrive late to a destination, than to arrive injured or not at all. If you plan to take part in the myriad of winter recreational activities in our area, I implore you to plan ahead. Assess the risks apparent in your activities and put in place mitigation plans to keep you safe and prepared for the worst. The wingman concept especially applies during the holidays. Keep in contact with your wingman and ensure they are well emotionally, physically, spiritually and socially. Do everything in your power to keep you, your family and your friends safe.

2009 has been a great year for Team Hill -- our accomplishments have been significant and I believe we are focusing on the right things. I look forward to working side by side with you to make 2010 even better. Tomi and I wish you and your families a Happy Holiday season.