Where does airpower come from? Published June 9, 2011 By Chief Master Sgt. Brian Stevens 314th Maintenance Group superintendent LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Every day I see examples of the men and women of the Air Force putting their lives on hold to make our mission happen. This dedication isn't something new - we're part of a military that has done this for decades. But every time I drive by Heritage Park and see the B-47, tail number 0595, I am reminded of a story that shows this dedication by an old crew chief who was stationed at Schilling Air Force Base, Kan., when the aircraft was there in the fall of 1962. He was a young, dedicated crew chief for another B-47 at the same base in mid-October. As he completed a pre-flight inspection on his aircraft in the middle of the night, his production supervisor pulled up. The crew chief was told to prepare the aircraft for immediate nuclear munitions upload and departure. After a fuel top-off and the loading of several nuclear bombs, the crew chief was given time to grab his TDY bag those in Strategic Air Command always had packed and ready to go. His young wife and two pre-school children had brought it to his work center and they had one short moment to say goodbye. With no family in the area, and no idea of where her husband was going nor when he'd return, his wife did what all military spouses did and still do - wished him luck, kissed him and promised to keep the house ready for his return. The crew chief's next stop was the pre-departure mission brief. In a room full of other military members, the group was told the United States had found out the Soviet Union had operational medium range nuclear missiles in Cuba. It was their mission to counter the threat. He walked out to his aircraft with his crew and pulled the chocks and plugs. The crew started engines, and the crew chief jumped onboard and closed the hatch. For the next 22 hours he would be buckled into his seat, which also doubled as the step built into the door, while they flew north and circled. As they flew, taking fuel from tankers every few hours to always have enough fuel to strike Cuba and beyond, they tried to pick up any news from the radio and talked about their families left behind. Schilling AFB had just stood up a wing of 12 Atlas missiles and they knew if the bombs started dropping, their homes where high on the target list. The thought of his young wife and two sons never left the crew chief's mind. At the end of the first day, they landed at their dispersed location, Columbus, Ohio. The plan called for minimum ground time with a minimum number of aircraft on the ground at any one time. The young sergeant's crew went into crew rest and mission planning as he helped another crew chief with another aircraft. He grabbed sleep as the aircraft took off for its next turn on flying alert. This pace continued for almost two weeks - always keeping as many bombers in the air as possible. In addition, three C-123s provided combat airlift flying a constant circle between each of the dispersed locations delivering spare parts and other maintainers. The mood was somber and tense, but these dedicated Airmen knew their mission had to go on. In the end, the standoff only lasted 13 days - something that felt like an eternity to those service members supporting whatever decision the commander in chief made. The confrontation was diffused only because of the determination and discipline of our fellow Airmen. When my father told me the story of his part in the Cuban missile crisis, he had a particular look in his eye. A look of calm determination and a willingness to do what it took to get the job done. I see that same look here at Little Rock Air Force Base. I see it in the security forces Airman when I come in the gate. I see it in the faces of Airmen returning from deployment as they step off the plane to meet their families. I see it in the face of a senior NCO who unhesitatingly accepts a short-notice, 365-day assignment to Iraq. I see it everywhere I look ... the true origin of our nation's air power is ordinary men and women doing extraordinary things to protect our nation.