Education key to achievement; some Team MacDill standouts Published June 5, 2011 By Col. Lenny Richoux 6th Air Mobility Wing commander MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- To those who participated in the Community College of the Air Force graduation ceremony recently, congratulations! We are either attending or participating in many local high school, college and university commencement ceremonies being held now, and each of them ushers a level of excitement and expectation inspired by the hope educational achievement brings. Congratulations are in order for those of you who have received your diplomas and those who supporting the graduating class of 2011. Education is so important in developing our personnel and readying all of us to meet challenges that will be faced as more responsibility and rank are achieved. If you haven't, I want to encourage you to take advantage of ALL the benefits serving your country provides. Also included in that long list of benefits are the support services available on the base. Many of these services are here not just to support Airmen or Soldiers, Sailors or Marines, but are here to support all of our mission partners, and they keep them ready to accomplish their jobs. Please make an effort to acquaint yourselves and dependents with what's available. I want to say thanks to Ms. Liz Waters and the Airman and Family Readiness Center for putting on a great Military Spouse Education Fair this week and for sponsoring the "Caring for People" Forum that is scheduled for June 1. Events like this help us keep the tasks that need our attention on the front burner. This week we also had a chance to reflect and appreciate the sacrifices of veterans of past wars during our Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony. Thanks to Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. Derrick Crowley, Master Sgt. April Way, Master Sgt. Charles Wheeler, Master Sgt. Bryan Gatewood, Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Gregory, Tech. Sgt. Tracy Bisarra, Tech. Sgt. Tanika Belfield and others, including our partners in the CENTCOM and SOCOM team who administered needed support that made the event successful. I'd like to recognize 6th Maintenance Group's Capt. Odi Diambra, assigned to the 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, who is currently supporting the training mission to assist seven African nations with developing fundamental military maintenance and logistics management skills. On a sad note, Wednesday we memorialized a tremendous Airman and officer who passed away after fighting against illness complications. I want to extend my deepest condolences to the friends and family of Maj. Charles Creech. We will remember the legacy of friendship and service with which he left us. Thanks to Lt. Col. Jason Wolf, 310th Airlift Squadron commander and the men and women of the 310th AS for organizing a meaningful service for a leader who'll be missed by all who knew and served with him. I am proud to serve with you in the finest Air Mobility Wing on the face of the planet!