I had the privilege of flying the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules (“Herc”) as a navigator while on active duty in the U.S. Air Force from 1996 to 2004. Distinguishing itself in Vietnam through its versatility and ability to operate on unimproved airfields, the C-130 proved there’s little it can’t do. From providing lethal close air support on the battlefield, to airdropping humanitarian assistance where security concerns preclude landing (recently, for example, in Gaza), to landing on blacked out dirt strips to offload essential cargo, the C-130 is a can-do platform with can-do aircrews that demonstrates the critical importance of using all the tools of American power—development and diplomacy, alongside defense—to build a better, safer world.

Global presence, global impact   

Because of the C-130’s versatility, I flew a wide variety of missions all over the world, and I could not have asked for a better education in how strategic investments in development and diplomacy advance our national security. Looking back, it is clear that our missions often reflected the whole-of-government response necessary to keep America safe, strong, and prosperous.    

For example, I recall flying relief missions into Honduras after Hurricane Mitch—one of the deadliest Atlantic hurricanes that killed at least 7,000 people in 1998, left 20% of the population homeless, and damaged over 70% of the country’s transportation infrastructure.    

While my crew and I primarily flew in and out of Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, other U.S. assets—Navy, Marine Corps, and Army—were operating in El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Our relief missions were a small part of a historic and massive effort by the Department of Defense and the U.S. Agency for International Development to effectuate rescue operations and provide life-saving food, water, and medical care to the most vulnerable in the region. In later phases of the operation, U.S. active duty, reserve, and guard units worked alongside development professionals to rebuild roads, bridges, houses, schools, and medical facilities.   

About a year after Hurricane Mitch, I found myself flying missions under Operation Joint Guardian into Macedonia (now, North Macedonia), where our squadron was tasked with supporting a multinational stabilization force attempting to quell extreme violence between Albanian and Serbian Kosovars. While we were operating in a combat setting, our resupply efforts supported many non-lethal strategies to accomplish the objective. For example, U.S. personnel in our designated sector of Kosovo not only safeguarded the freedom of movement and provided security through a show of force, but they also liaised with civil authorities and local communities to build goodwill by handing out blankets, school supplies, and landmine safety information to school children. This relationship building proved to be lifesaving. As I later learned, Kosovar children reportedly shared the locations of weapons caches in exchange for soccer balls.

Diplomacy and strategic international assistance: an imperative 

The return on investment for diplomacy and international assistance is not always immediate, but it is undeniable. Years after our hurricane relief missions in the Northern Triangle, we worked with those governments on agricultural and small business development and gang violence prevention programs that helped reduce migration rates by up to 68%, drastically reducing pressure on our southern border. The NATO allies with whom we worked in the Balkans later came to our aid in robust fashion in response to 9/11. Supporting our allies and partners through multinational campaigns and humanitarian assistance helps us build a reservoir of trust and cooperation—the most important asset in protecting our national interests.   

Having seen the impact of diplomacy and international assistance up close, it’s clear to me that these levers of power must be maintained. The complexity of today’s geopolitical environment demands that we apply a comprehensive and sophisticated set of tools to navigate and prevent conflict. In our unstable world, we cannot afford to cede ground to our rivals, such as Russia and China, or step off the global playing field. Finally, our soldiers, sailors, airmen, guardians, and marines deserve to know that we will exhaust every possible pathway to resolution before sending them into harm’s way.   

On this Veterans Day, reflecting on my time in the C-130, I am proud to have flown an airplane that so often served as an instrument of strength, peace, and goodwill. I am equally proud to be working alongside so many dedicated veterans through USGLC’s Veterans for Smart Power initiative, protecting our capacity to exercise leadership on the global stage and making certain the Herc’s aircrews of tomorrow can continue to offer the fullest expression of our values as a just and compassionate nation.