Alaska and the Pacific rebalance: Top-of-the-line troops at the top of the world

Commentary by Lt. Gen. Russell Handy
Commander, Alaskan Command, Joint Task Force-Alaska, Alaskan NORAD Region, Eleventh Air Force

11/27/2013 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- First, I want to sincerely thank all the Arctic Warriors who were part of our  welcome back to our old Alaska neighborhood.

It is an incredible privilege for JoAnn and me to serve here again, in the Pacific, among many friends and in a place so important to our nation's future.

On that subject, I truly believe this is a very important time to serve in Alaska - isn't it?
Think for a moment: our president has announced a "rebalance" (in effect, a refocusing of our attention) to the Pacific.

If you look at where we sit - literally on top of the world, and directly between the U.S. and the hot spots in the Pacific - it becomes immediately clear just how important you are to the rebalance effort. We are uniquely positioned to "reach out and touch someone" with combat power and rapid mobility in a matter of hours - more so than any other Department of Defense entity.

Fortunately, we have the most capable forces in the nation to meet that challenge - you.
You all operate and maintain the most advanced weapons systems in our inventory and you routinely develop innovative and creative ways to run one of the most complex joint bases in the DoD.

To top that off, you do it in some of the harshest environmental conditions on the planet. I applaud your hard work, your excellence, and your resiliency.

My job is to clearly articulate expectations, give you the tools you need to accomplish your mission, and then listen when you tell me how we can do things better.

Part of this obligation our commanders and I have to you is to ensure you understand our intent and priorities, along with how you fit into the big picture...one or two steps up your chain of command. Each of your units has a mission statement and I hold you accountable for knowing and understanding it.

On a broader scale, I want you to examine how you fit into the overall theater strategy.
We will continue to push information on command intent and priorities to your units for publication on your web sites and social media outlets.

These are tremendous resources for your continued education and understanding of where your team fits into our theater and global mission requirements.

As I get around to visit you and your families, I look forward to talking to you all about this and what I can do to support you.

At the close of World War II, B.H. Liddell Hart concluded, "It should be the duty of every soldier to reflect on the experiences of the past, in the endeavor to discover improvements, in his particular sphere of action, which are practical to the immediate future."

You face incredible challenges and obstacles each and every day - I know that.
As we strive to protect our great nation while simultaneously fighting the fiscal tide, we need courageous leadership at the national level coupled with expert advice, insight, and ideas from the men and women who serve - and that's where you come in. Don't sweat the 'small stuff.'

Your immense talent, positive attitude, creativity and ingenuity will carry the day. Thanks again for what you do every day for America to protect her interests from on top of the world.