Warbird focus Published Jan. 13, 2010 By Col. Douglas A. Cox 5th Bomb Wing commander MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- During our staff meeting this morning the leaders and staff of the 5th Bomb Wing got together for a discussion of our daily issues and upcoming concerns. Of course the topic of our upcoming inspection was discussed, and your command chief master sergeant, Chief Master Sgt. Kent Smith, made a very salient observation. He said that as a previously "nuclear inexperienced" individual, he was astounded by the amount of work and the caliber of performance he had witnessed during our last few months of preparations, visits, and exercises. The chief is absolutely correct -- your performance has been inspirational. Next it was the vice commander's turn to make remarks. Col. Julian Tolbert, with his usual perceptiveness, noted that in all the demands of the upcoming inspection we must keep our eye on the ball; this mission doesn't stop, even when the IG is on base. Make sure that duty schedules and responsibilities are adjusted to ensure tasks are covered even when the evaluators are in your spaces and visiting your places. That leads into the most important piece of advice we uncovered during our discussion: "safe" is the first word in safe, secure, and reliable. We are going to hustle when the IG is here, and we are going to lean forward to confidently demonstrate our combat capability. There is nothing the IG will demand of us, however, that doesn't give us an excuse to disregard safety. Each one of us will come through this inspection unscathed -- career-wise because we will perform well, and physically too because we'll conduct our operations safely. It will be a challenging few weeks, hang in there. Keep your nuclear surety mindset and persevere. Everything we need to succeed on this inspection is found in the three words "safe, secure, and reliable." Safe with the operational assets and safe with our precious personnel. Secure -- eyes open to the potential threat and unusual activity: is there a car parked where it shouldn't be? Is someone wandering around in an odd location at an unusual time? Carefully checking access, denying entry until authorization is verified. Reliable -- performing procedures to standard every time, watching out for our wingmen, reporting PRP issues with a continuous monitoring mindset. These are the keys to nuclear surety success; you already know what to do and you've inspired your leadership team with confidence. Questions and misunderstandings will arise in an inspection scenario. Keep cool, stay calm and respectful. Inform your chain of command right away -- it's our job to straighten out any conflicting perspectives. Warbirds are warriors, we will be graded by warriors. Treat the IG with the same respect you expect and deserve, and it will open the door for you to perform in the magnificent manner you continue to deliver every day. Thank you for the honor of serving with you; each one of you is vital to the most awesome combat capability on earth.