Flying Lesson No. Eight

Standing Alert and Being Prepared

Standing alert at Hill Air Force Base ‑ During the cold war our unit flew the KC‑97 and then the KC‑135 air refueling tankers and we were part of the Strategic Air Command. Our war time mission was to be in position to refuel nuclear bombers on the way to and from their targets. Our crews were required to be able to take off within a few minutes of when the alert horn sounded.

To do this our airplanes were fueled and prepared in advance and were ready for takeoff. The only thing the crew had to do when they got to the aircraft was to start the engines. The crews lived together two or three days at a time in the alert facility. The alert facility was located at the end of the runway just a short distance from our airplanes. We referred to all of this as "standing alert."

Continuous Planning, Practice and Evaluations ‑ Fortunately, nuclear war never came where a mission was flown for "keeps." However, there were many practice missions to demonstrate that in the event of war our crews knew exactly what to do and how and when to do it. Our crews were prepared in every way by very experienced people. Therefore, there was no question the mission would be performed if called on.  This gave great confidence.  The Soviets also knew the United States Armed Services were prepared and could perform their assigned mission.  This is the primary reason we did not have to go to war.

Lesson for Life ‑We are in a sort of cold war or a standoff with Satan. He tests us to determine where we are vulnerable. When he finds a weakness that is where he attacks. If his initial skirmishes are successful he steps up pressure leading to an all out assault. Our success against Satan depends a great deal on standing alert and being prepared.

There is no better information any where on being prepared for the challenges of this life than the Church's web site at lds.org under Home and Family and then to Provident Living. Provident Living emphasizes the importance of education, family finances, home storage, employment, physical health, and social and emotional strength. If we live providently it will bless us individually and as a family. We will be able to contribute to our communities and especially to the Lord and His work.

Testimony of Being Prepared ‑Living the gospel of Jesus Christ is the best way to prepare for this life and the next. His Church is the primary vehicle the Lord uses to prepare his people. Everything the Church does is to prepare us to be happy and successful now and in eternity.

Another wonderful blessing of being prepared is that it gives us confidence now and in the future. The Lord said it best: "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear" (D&C 38:30).  The lack of preparation whether in school, at work, in our family responsibilities, or in our personal lives causes frustration and unhappiness. Our mortal life gives us all an opportunity to feel personally the results of being unprepared. Hopefully we learn these lessons early and in less important ways so that when the real test of preparedness comes, both in this life and in the next, we will be ready.