TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 349th Air Mobility Wing, Travis AFB, Calif., begins this month with a new motto to help with our year-long celebration of the 75 year history of our base. Like the base, our wing traces its origin back 75 years, then as the 349th Troop Carrier Group. After World War II, the unit was deactivated but came back to life in 1949, was allocated to the Air Force Reserve, and was assigned to Hamilton AFB in Marin County. Its proximity to the famed Golden Gate Bridge gave rise to the nickname "The Golden Gate Wing" and it has been in the region ever since. In 1969, the unit was designated a reserve associate wing and began the process of retiring its old propeller driven aircraft and joining forces with the host wing at Travis AFB to fly modern jets.
For these past 75 years, Airmen in the 349th may have served at different locations with different aircraft types, but from the earliest times an old-fashioned Latin motto, "In Omnia Paratus," has been a part of the unit's heritage. It means: in all things prepared. I realized in this 75th year, as we meet the challenges of full spectrum readiness, the idea behind the motto has a renewed relevance. In all things prepared; that was good advice in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom, and it resonates powerfully today.
But in this digital age, we have to get to the point faster than ever and saying that our motto is In Omnia Paratus, and going on to explain that it means in all things prepared takes a few moments. Instead, we will use with the phrase "Be O.P."
The 349th strives to be ready for all things, ready to accomplish our mission across the full spectrum of threats - to be “Be O.P!”