Air Force Association Statement of Support
for The United States Armed Forces
[On behalf of the Air Force Association, the delegates to
the AFA National Convention issued the following statement at
their meeting in Washington, D.C., on September 15, 2002.]
For the past year, the armed forces of the United States have
conducted themselves with courage and distinction in the war on
terrorism. In the days ahead, our nation may enter a new and
potentially more dangerous phase of that war. As always, when
American forces go into combat, they will have the full support
of the Air Force Association. Our fighting forces will do their
part, whatever comes.
It behooves the rest of us, the citizens of the United States
and our elected officials, to be certain of our purpose and firm
in our resolve when we commit military forces to combat. We must
be sure of our objectives, and provide the full measure of national
resources required to sustain our forces, for however long it
takes to succeed.
In the war on terrorism, we are engaged by a deadly and
persistent enemy who seeks to destroy us. We cannot step away
from this war. We have to fight, and we have to win. A new kind
of danger lies before us as rogue nations and terrorists obtain
weapons of mass destruction and weapons of mass disruption.
Clearly, other nations have a stake in the outcome, too, and we
hope they will join us. Still, we must be prepared to act alone.
This is a threat of the utmost gravity, and direct and
preemptive action may be the only way to remove it. In that
eventuality, our only course is to strike with all our might,
relentlessly, and with the greatest determination we can muster.
When and if that time comes, the Air Force Association will
support our national leaders in the difficult decisions they
must make.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the men and women of the
armed forces—airmen, soldiers, sailors, Marines and Coast
Guardsmen serving in defense of the nation.
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The Air Force Association, 1501 Lee Highway,
Arlington, VA 22209-1198, (703) 247-5800
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