LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Editors note: Gen. John D.W. Corley will retire after more than 36 years in uniform, and Gen. William M. Fraser III will assume command of the Air Combat Command in a ceremony Sept. 10 at 10 a.m., on the base operations red carpet. The following is General Corley's farewell note to the ACC staff.
Fellow Airmen,
A little more than 40 years ago I filed a flight plan when I entered the United States Air Force Academy. This plan would take me to places I never thought possible and taught me many important lessons. Little did I know that I would end up as the Commander of Air Combat Command.
The most important thing I learned is that the Air Force is made up of the best and brightest people our Nation has to offer. I am honored to have served with such talented individuals and gifted teammates. Everywhere I traveled in our Air Force I found outstanding Airmen!
Airmen are America's Trusted Guardians protecting this great Nation and its interests. This responsibility demands Airmen who possess the vision and commitment to ensure we integrate across air, space, and cyberspace. Today's uncertain security environment and that of the future will demand that we achieve integration in order to continue to outpace our adversaries. As the greatest Air Force in the world I remain confident that you will proudly deliver what the Nation demands.
Together Airmen provide the Commander-in-Chief the world's most powerful and dominant Combat Air Force. America will continue to expect that we put our best team forth in the field of war and that team is you. You are selfless, dedicated, and have the uncanny ability to make the impossible... possible!
I wish I could personally thank each of you in order to let you know how proud I am of your service and how touched I am to have had the privilege to serve with you. You have given me more than I could ever repay.
As Alice and I say goodbye and commence our next adventure, I sleep well knowing my Airman family... YOU, are standing guard over this nation.
Respectfully,
//Signed//
JOHN D.W. CORLEY
General, USAF
Commander