Global Vigilance, Reach and Power - this is the current vision for our United States Air Force which leads them to accomplishing their mission of flying, fighting and winning ... in air, space and cyberspace.
On Monday, March 29, 2010, I had the unbelievable pleasure of joining some our amazing Air Force service men and women aboard a refueling mission on a KC-135. Not only was this experience memorable but it was also educational. It was also a little frightening - 190 knot headwinds, altitude changes that one only has in dreams (nightmares), visual lightening strikes from the cockpit... our mission truly was in the middle of one of WA's best storms in 2010. During this storm, the pilot of the KC-135 had complete communication with the boom operator and the pilot of the C-17 (that we were refueling). Mind you, we were moving in our tanker and I have no doubt the C-17 was moving as much. The boom goes out 25' (that's it). There is absolutely no room for error. As I was watching the boom operator in action, beads of sweat were rolling down my brow and my hands (actually, whole body) were shaking. The boom operator was Tom Cruise smooth in Top Gun! No, I didn't have to use that little white bag throughout the whole flight but I thought about it.
The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 50 years. This unique asset enhances the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary missions of Global Reach and Global Power. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft. The KC-135 is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations. The KC-135 tanker that we flew on Monday was primitive (in a novice civilian's perspective) - noisy, cold (no insulation), uncomfortable (no recliners on the seats - just jump seats), wires ties w/ zip ties, and no flight attendants.
From what I learned from our captain, the KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 50 years. This unique asset enhances the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary missions of Global Reach and Global Power. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft. The KC-135 is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.
Now, to achieve the vision Global Vigilance, Reach and Power, one has to be an expert in what they do. The mission that I witnessed was an instructional flight. From witnessing what our Air Force does on this memorable day taught me the importance of PRACTICE, DRILL and REPEAT! Practice daily, drill daily and repeat. As an agent, can we take a lesson from this. Especially during slow times? These airmen were on their game this amazing day but from after talking to them, they practice, drill and repeat non-stop (war or no war).
Here are some amazing pics of KC-135's:
So what does this have to with real estate?
Global Vigilance, Reach and Power - Our servicemen and servicewomen are practicing, drilling and repeating daily. They are keeping their skills sharpened. They are preparing for battle. They are READY!
As times our slow for us: why not role play with a fellow agent, why not review a purchase and sale with another agent/manager, why not spend time overcoming objectives with another agent and when it seems like it is tough to get a prospective client "to pull the trigger" on a purchase decision - role play. Practice might not make perfect but the closer to perfection we will get! There is no room for error!
Thank you to our armed forces for allowing us to do what we do! The vision of Global Vigilance, Reach and Power will continue to keep us (U.S.) the best we can be.
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