New on base? Team Hurlburt welcomes you!

  • Published
  • By Col. Norman Brozenick Jr.
  • 16th SOW Commander
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  I would like to personally welcome all new Hurlburt Field teammates. Congratulations on what will surely be an exciting assignment for you and your family.

Our mission is unlike any other in the Air Force. Our people take best care of each other like nowhere else. Whether at home station or in the field, our Airmen are ready to serve "Anytime, Anyplace."

Regardless of what unit you are assigned to, there are several programs to help you and your family successfully transition to life on an Air Commando base.

As an Airman brand new to the Air Force, you will attend the two-week orientation program at the Commando Pride Airmen's Center. During those two weeks, first-termers will learn about the rich Air Commando history at Hurlburt Field, the profession of arms and even financial management. Various base organizations do a great job to provide our young Airmen with the basic tools required to launch a successful career.

For those Airmen who have been serving for a little longer, the Commando Connection program welcomes you.

Commando Connection is a base orientation that takes place once a twice, and Airmen are welcome to bring their families. Agencies from across the base provide information and answer questions about issues that are common for families new to the area. The spectrum of information ranges from law enforcement, house hunting, employment opportunities, educational services and much, much more.

As we continue to fight and win the Global War on Terrorism, it is inevitable that loved ones will deploy. Please know that we will take best care of the family members of our deployed teammates. We are proud of our Airman and family readiness center.

Our readiness professionals are there to make deployments a little easier on family members.

Programs such as Hearts Apart offer spouses a variety of ways for family members to keep in touch during deployments. Operation Pillowcase, one of its events, provides the opportunity to send a personalized pillowcase to loved ones while they are serving away from home.

Heartlink offers new spouses an overview of the many services our Air Force provides to family members. It includes insights regarding the training our Airmen successfully accomplish prior to deployment.
While serving at Hurlburt Field, understand that leaders expect much from their Airmen. Our special operations and partner units pursue excellence in all we do.

Here is how you can immediately contribute to your unit's success. Learn your mission, know your commander's intent and be the strong and caring wingman you expect others to be.

Remember, it all starts with communication – up and down, left to right, front to back, top to bottom and bottom to top.

Hey, don't just sit there silent, your input is vital to our success. Make recommendations on how to improve efficiency in the workplace, on- and off-duty safety, recognition programs, community facilities, communication channels and more.

If you are a member of the 16th SOW, know our Aimpoints and live them: fight and win, take best care of our wingmen, families and resources, and develop the next generation of Air Force and Air Commando leaders.

Again, welcome to team Hurlburt. You are now part of a legacy of capability, credibility and faithfulness. Our standards are high because our destiny is certain: "no fail."