Yokota's MVP provides clarity and focus to 374 AW Published Feb. 4, 2016 By Senior Airman David Owsianka 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- The 374th Airlift Wing leadership recently revised its mission, vision and priorities to provide clarity to the wing, update its focus, and remind Airmen how their efforts tie into the greater Air Force. The newest MVP aligns the identity of Yokota Airmen with a common purpose, a clear definition of professionalism, and distinct priorities as they provide airlift, from the ground up, in defense of our nation. "It's important for Airmen to understand and know the MVP because it gives them a common goal to work towards," said Master Sgt. Mirinda Walker, 374 AW command section superintendent. "We all play a different part in making sure we carry out the mission, working toward our vision and implementing our priorities." The 374 AW mission is to "generate a professional, resilient, combat-ready force and swiftly project airpower throughout the Indo-Asia Pacific Region to defend our nation, support our partners and promote a free and stable world." The vision is to be the "Best Wing in the Pacific," powered by "bold, smart and aggressive professionals." What defines professionalism? Commitment - to a shared set of standards Loyalty - to a common cause, a clear mission, and each other: "I, state your name..." Trust - shared between Airmen... ...maintained with the American people The wing's priorities are people, readiness and engagement. People: commanders and supervisors must demand a culture of dignity and respect and care for their Airmen and their families so they can take care of the mission. Readiness: focuses on creating, protecting, sustaining and projecting airpower every day. Engagement: concentrates on building partnerships throughout the region, strengthening relationships with our host nation and fostering teamwork with our joint partners. This newest MVP reflects the 374th Airlift Wing's latest effort to meet the changing needs of the Department of Defense, in partnership with all the units that comprise Team Yokota. "From preparing food for our personnel to the medical team taking care of our people, all of Yokota's Airmen play a significant role in making sure the mission gets carried out," Walker said. "Airmen may not think that their job or a task given to them is key to mission success, but what they do every day helps defend our nation, support our partners, and promote a free and stable world." MVP changes are often a reflection of changes with geo-political issues throughout the world. The military changes in order to meet the needs of the country and its allies. "Any successful organization has to commit to on-going efforts to evaluate who they are, why they are here, what they want to achieve, what they do and don't do well," said Tasha Hairston, 374 AW historian. "Advances in technology greatly influence our response to our rapidly-changing world and we have to make changes to transition with the countries here in the Pacific. It is beneficial for us to take the time to explicitly define our mission, vision and priorities and incorporate more strategic planning and alignment." The 374 AW formed on April 1, 1992, with the deactivation of the 475th Air Base Wing. Its mission at Yokota has changed over the years as it was incorporated into Pacific Air Forces from Air Mobility Command. As the 374 AW was reassigned to PACAF, the wing's MVPs changed to embody the requirements of their new region. One example of a different MVP was from 2004 to 2007. The mission during this time was to "provide ready forces and ready response while guaranteeing U.S. forward presence and crisis response in the Pacific." The vision was to have 'samurai warriors and be mission ready and people focused.' And the priorities were the mission and people. As the world continuously changes, Yokota's MVPs evolve to align with the needs of the Air Force and its allies. "The MVP reminds us all of what we do and why we are doing it," said Col. Douglas DeLaMater, 374 AW commander. "It sets the standard for us to maintain and a goal to strive for. This is our foundation; it's what you go back to and what you reference when mission planning, setting goals or determining priorities."