Season's greetings from 18th Wing Commander Published Dec. 19, 2012 By Brig Gen Matt "Zap" Molloy 18th Wing commander KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Team Kadena, In the spirit of the season, my family and I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Thank you for all your smart and tenacious work over the past year to carry out our very important mission here in the western Pacific. We have demonstrated that we are fully trained and ready to "fight tonight and win tomorrow" in the defense of our nation, our Japanese partners and our regional allies. Team Kadena was indeed very busy this past year, but your professionalism and dedication led to an impressive performance across our mission portfolio; you kept the mission moving forward despite 14 typhoons that threatened to derail operations. You also supported more than 2,400 deployment taskings in six theaters around the globe. You embodied the Air Force's core values and core competencies, and you did it with dash, dedication and grace. The holidays can be difficult for our Airmen who are stationed away from home and family. Fortunately, Team Kadena is one big family, and I know you will reach out and make sure no one is alone this wonderful holiday season. I'd like to especially thank our 650 currently deployed Airmen and their families. This can be a difficult time of the year for these warriors and their families, so I ask everyone to keep them in your thoughts and prayers-consider dropping them a note and tell them you're thinking of them. For all of our family members, thank you for what you do every day to support the mission. You make countless sacrifices so that our Airmen can remain focused. We owe you a great debt of gratitude for the love, support and strength you provide every day. It's a force multiplier. I'd also like to express my appreciation to our dedicated Japanese employees. You are a critical part of Team Kadena--the glue and continuity--and we can't perform our mission without you. I want to remind everyone to be a good wingman during the holidays. By its very definition, "wingmen" are responsible and accountable for one another's actions-it's a life saver in aerial combat and it can be equally effective across the spectrum of our daily activities to include helping one another make smart decisions during the holiday festivities (like staying alive and out of jail). Finally, remember that our decisions impact not just Team Kadena, but also our Okinawan friends. As U.S. ambassadors it's important that we continue to nurture our special relationship with the people of Japan who have graciously extended to us their friendship, their country and their communities. From the Molloy family to your family - have a happy and safe holiday season!