Commentary: The War Starts Tomorrow Published Nov. 12, 2008 By Col. Ronald Banks 18th Operations Group KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The motto of the 18th Operations Group is "The War Starts Tomorrow." This motto keeps us focused in our daily operations to improve mission success. Standing on the Keystone of the Pacific demands that we are ever-vigilant in our preparations to stay mission ready. What I offer here is just one aspect of a warrior attitude to help us prepare for combat, mental preparation. It is no coincidence that the "Shogun Warriors" are stationed on Okinawa, the site of countless battles over the centuries. Like our warrior brothers of the past, we too must be ready to succeed in our primary duties when called upon with little to no warning. My priority for the 18th Operations Group is the necessity of continual mental preparation for combat. The Shoguns of the past were extremely educated warriors who were profoundly competent in their trade, unquestionably loyal, and extremely lethal. The Shoguns today must also exhibit these same traits if we are to be successful in combat. To be mentally ready for war means we must first be physically fit and emotionally steeled in order to successfully endure the stresses of combat. Mental preparation means we must be fully educated in our profession (PME), our craft (primary duty), and military history. It also entails being prepared in every aspect of our lives so that there are no distractions when combat operations begin. We must have all facets of our personal lives in order so that we can be confident that our loved ones will be taken care of, our financial matters are in order, and our health is in good shape. Mental preparedness demands that we are totally competent in our job, whether it is as a pilot or aircrew member, an air battle manager, the gunner on a Pave Hawk, the controller in the tower, the cook at the dining facility, or the mechanic on the aircraft. We are all instrumental in the larger machine called the 18th Wing. Every part of our Wing is integral to the others. Without each piece, we are incomplete and therefore cannot be successful. No matter what our trade, we must be the best at it if we are to overcome our adversaries. We must constantly look to improve our skills and find ways for our wing to excel. Our overall lethality is dependent upon the success of each of you. The Shogun Warrior, like the Samurai of the past, is always the professional, both on and off duty. I challenge each of you to prepare constantly in every aspect of your life, because "The War Starts Tomorrow." Be ready. Succeed!