LEADER: SERVICE AND SUPPORT DEFINED 2022
Travis Air Force Base was a hub of activity in 2022 as personnel continued training for combat readiness and provided support throughout the world, advised Col. Derek Salmi Thursday during the third-annual “State of the Base” event at the military institution.
Salmi, the commander of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, addressed a crowd of dignitaries including local, state and national representatives, as well as Travis personnel.
Sen. John Garamendi, D-Solano, announced that Travis remains of “extraordinary importance” in service to America.
He spoke of the intensely-dangerous operation that helped evacuate personnel from Afghanistan, saving “more than 100,000 individuals.” He also spoke of America's reliance of Travis' equipment, people and their expertise.
“This particular base is central to the security of the nation,” Garamendi advised.
Ten years ago, he continued, the fate of Travis was in question. But their outstanding service and overwhelming community support turned the tide.
“The future of this base is secure,” he shared. “It is the hub of the Pacific. … Colonel, your team is doing an awesome job.”
Salmi emphasized that Team Travis is all about people, both on base and off.
“We are not of the community we are in the community,” he said. “And, we serve globally.”
In reviewing 2022, several things stood out.
There were celebrations, like the massively successful Wings Over Solano event and the awarding of the Distinguished Flying Cross to 27 airmen.
There were also a wealth of training exercises to en
sure personnel are prepared for every eventuality.
The past year also brought operations including offering humanitarian aid to Honduras and providing aid, about 6.2 million tons of cargo, to Ukraine.
Highlights included a C-5 that carried a satellite that mapped all bodies of water on the planet and supporting NASA in connection with the James Webb telescope and rescuing people from a burning Peruvian ship near Hawaii and transporting them to an elite burn center in San Antonio.
Next up will be more training exercises, strengthening strategic relationships, a wealth of infrastructure enhancements including a twoyear runway restoration starting in the Spring, integrating the KC-46 and transitioning the KC-10, and a bevy of activities involving the community, Salmi said.
The latter will include toasting the 50th anniversary of Operation Homecoming for Vietnam veterans, the 75th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, the 80th anniversary of hospital operations at Travis, the 75th anniversary of the 60th Air Mobility Wing and more.
Judging by Salmi's predictions, Travis is set to be even busier in 2023 with much for the community to take part in.