U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Lee Hartley, the assistant adjutant general for the Tennessee Air National Guard, delivers a message to airmen at the 118th Wing in Nashville, TN, on April 5, 2025. The purpose of his visit was to reinforce embracing the warrior ethos mindset as we continue to collaborate, not only domestically, but on the international level, to defend our homeland.

Wearing MOPP (Mission-Oriented Protective Posture) gear as the symbol of the Tennessee Air National Guard’s commitment to camaraderie, purpose, and the mission set that defines who we are, Hartley said that “we need to be exceptional at adapting fast … we need to be pretty good at going places and figuring it out quickly.”

Upholding high standards of excellence to ensure mission success is what drives our ability to pivot and execute.

“In our culture, what we encourage when we talk about the expeditionary mindset is commander’s intent, and you solve it”, he continues. “We are really good at that.”

In an era of increased global volatility and emerging threats, deterrence, readiness and the need to remain agile is paramount.

“I have yet to see a top-down solution that will beat grassroots effort when it comes to solving a problem”, he said. “Our airmen are empowered to come up with solutions to the problems they have. All the attention to details and standards that go along with this goes a long way.”

Hartley’s message resonated with airmen, reinforcing our core values to push us to succeed in future operations.

In short: Wherever the mission, we’re always prepared to face it - no matter the environment.

(U.S. Air National Guard video by Staff Sgt. Yonette)