The way ahead: senior leaders across the Air Force have repeatedly stated that they cannot emphasize enough how important it will be to make AFSO thinking an integral part of every airman's daily routine.(Air Force Smart Operations in focus)

On behalf of Secretary of the Air Force, Michael B. Donley, welcome to this special Air Force Smart Operations (AFSO) edition of the Air Force Journal of Logistics. We hope you will take the time to review some--if not all--of the articles outlining exciting and important AFSO initiatives happening across the Air Force.

If you are short on time, take a peek at our short article entitled, "Air Force Smart Operations--Here to Stay," which gives you a quick look at the genesis and future of AFSO. Hopefully that will entice you to read on and get your colleagues interested in learning more about Smart Operations.

As we look to the future, senior leaders across the Air Force have repeatedly stated that they cannot emphasize enough how important it will be to make AFSO thinking an integral part of every airman's daily routine. Therefore, on behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force, we will continue to facilitate AFSO efforts across the Service and we look forward to working with as many of you as we can.

As one Airman recently said, "AFSO didn't make airpower ... it just makes airpower better." To maximize that effect, AFSO must become part of the normal daily battle rhythm of the United States Air Force--we're depending on your help to make that a reality. So pitch in and feel free to let us know what exciting and important things you're doing for the Air Force today.

Why AFSO21

* Exciting. Because these AFSO efforts involve the creativity and innovation of enthusiastic Airmen from every corner of the Service.

* Important. Because the work these Airmen are doing each and every day is helping to make a great Air Force even better. It's establishing a firm cultural foundation to keep the US Air Force the best in the world as we enter a future where the only certainty is the inevitability of increasingly complex threats to Our national security and challenges to our vital interests around the globe.