Balancing heritage, tradition with focus on future Published Aug. 2, 2006 By Col. Michael S. Stough 100th Air Refueling Wing commander RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Right after the Air Force unveiled prototypes for a new service dress uniform, it seemed like everyone had a comment to make. I have to admit that I don't personally care very much. One of the benefits I enjoy about the Air Force is that I don't have many decisions about what to wear every day ... which means I don't have to listen to Tracey say "you're not going to wear that, are you?" This probably won't be the last time we debate our uniforms and symbols. As the youngest service, we continue to balance heritage and tradition with a strong focus on the future. I remember when the Air Force symbol was revamped, and the Hap Arnold wings were replaced with the more modern logo we see today. Initially, I didn't like the new logo, preferring the more traditional design that I felt better captured our history. I've grown to like the new wings, however, because -- at least, to me -- they represent our service's willingness and ability to adapt to changing circumstances rather than blindly holding on to the past. The flexibility inherent in air power is really our greatest strength. Over the years, we've had many debates over roles and missions among the various services, but -- unlike the Army's heavy divisions or the Navy's blue water fleet -- the relevance of air power has never been in doubt. That's a testament to the visionary leadership that has existed in our Air Force from the very beginning, as well as to the willingness among our Airmen to embrace change and look for new ways to project combat power. Air power used to be considered a weapon for the rapid advance of forces moving outside cities but was thought to have limited utility once the conflict moved into urban terrain and concerns increased about collateral damage. Now, however, thanks to the rapid increase in precision and lethality -- and the creativity and innovation displayed by our Airmen -- air power has become a key component of urban operations. The constant forward progress exhibited by our Air Force today gives me great confidence in our future. And I don't have to look far to see evidence of that progress. Our neighbors at RAF Lakenheath, for example, are fielding the small diameter bomb, which will further increase air power's precision, lethality, and operational flexibility. The 48th Fighter Wing will shortly be the first wing to deploy with the weapon into a combat environment (if you'd like to know more, read the article in last week's Jet 48). Progress and change will continue, but there's continuity as well. This wing's core mission -- right jet, right place, right time, right fuel load -- will continue to be a key link in the projection of air power, regardless of the weapons or the airframe being used. We're a constant in the air power equation (for the foreseeable future at least), but we can't afford to become trapped in the "we've always done it this way" mindset. As new weapons and tactics are fielded, we have to be ready to adapt our operations as well, in order to make sure the war fighter is able to squeeze every ounce of capability from every new innovation. We have an article in this week's issue that focuses on Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century (AFSO 21). It's worthwhile reading, not for the efforts being profiled but for the mindset behind those efforts. We should all be striving to improve the way we do business, not just for a financial bottom line but for the most important reason of all ... our fellow Airmen are counting on us.