By William (Hack) Alexander CMSgt. USAF Ret.

I am worried about the future of our great Air Force and all the services, and concerned that the American public does not realize what they do and the need to invest in them. Our Air Force has been at war for 19 years, but when I tell people that they look at me as if I'm crazy. When I explain the full scope of the Air Force role in providing close air support, airlift, tanker support, B-1 support, re-supply, search and rescue and med-evacuation for all the branches of service I get a deer-in-the-headlights look.

The importance of this cannot be overstated. If we are not prepared to defend our nation, all else is lost. If we don't have security and freedom nothing else matters.

We need to keep the F-22 production line open, fund a new tanker and develop a new bomber now. Our enemies have been watching for decades for the weakness they can exploit, and that door has now been opened. Our financial situation is in dire straits, but if you think it's bad now wait until China, Russia or a coalition of nations is dictating policy because we don’t have deterrence. What will our leaders tell the American public when our homeland is threatened for the first time in our history by superior aircraft?

I was stationed in Torrejon, Spain in the 1980s when we worked around the clock to keep our F-4s air worthy; they were worn out just like today's fighters. I was so happy when we converted to the F-16. What an immense difference. Our aircrews were immediately safer and my maintainers were finally able to work decent hours. Our nation was much safer. When we deployed to Turkey and Italy, I knew our pilots and aircraft would make it safely.

I understand that I am pro-Air Force; after all, that's my team. I was allowed to serve for 30 years. I served two tours in Vietnam and during Desert Shield, Storm and a few others. I tell everyone that will listen that the best way to stay safe is to have the best trained and equipped Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines and Cost Guard.

When I tell them that the Chinese Air force is starting to copy our Air Force I'm met with disbelief. I know some of us believe and understand how important our Armed Forces are. I never want to be in a fair or equal fight. I always want us to have what we need to Fly, Fight and Win. As a maintainer, we always kidded the operations guys, but their safety was my mission. We have lived by a code of Honor that most will never understand. We must keep fighting the good fight.