Joint Base Lewis-McChord: Understanding life as a loadmaster

While frequent missions and a high operations tempo can make life stressful, Tech. Sgt. Ron Strayhorne, says that he wouldn't trade his seven years as a loadmaster for anything in the world.At the 62nd Airlift Wing, loadmasters are assigned to one of four flying squadrons, and constantly operate

MacDill utilizing multi-pronged approach to saving aircraft fuel

Drivers who stay aware of their right foot, keep their engine tuned and adjust their car's tire pressure, can save a few cents a day in gas costs. When the professionals that plan the flying missions at MacDill Air Force Base get frugal, it can save thousands of dollars a day.A KC-135 Stratotanker

Photos: Harlem Globetrotter trades 'hoops for laughs' at Little Rock

Daughter of MacDill chaplain makes harrowing journey

Most people pedal a bike for fun and recreation, but it was the very serious business of combating the sex slave trade that motivated the daughter of one of MacDill's own to make a harrowing, cross-country winter bike journey.Janna Buttrick, college student and daughter of Chaplain (Maj.) David

Joint Base Lewis-McChord crew chiefs 'get the job done'

No airlift wing can provide global airlift for America without ready and available aircraft. No aircraft can deliver global airlift without proper maintenance. At McChord Field here, the 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs ensure the 62nd Airlift Wing's C-17 Globemaster IIIs are safe,

Pope Airman 'rises to the challenge' downrange

Every day stories are heard from members returning from deployment, what they experienced and how it has changed them. We are told that job versatility is one of the keys to success in staying mission ready and being "fit to fight." For some, the reality of this is only realized when the challenge

JETs help move Afghanistan mission

Most Airmen know that Air Force jets move cargo, personnel and equipment in and out of theater. But for some Airmen, this type of jet doesn't exactly rack up flight time. This JET is really a Joint Expeditionary Tasking in which several Transit Center at Manas Airmen are assigned to the Army to

Airmen airlift $30 million in aid to Afghanistan

Airmen here recently built 16 pallets of donated goods to be airlifted to Afghanistan."The shipment will allow the refurbishing and rebuilding of 25 hospitals and clinics in the region and will help transition more than 3,000 farmers from the Taliban-directed heroin trade," said Jan Mazotti, the

AAFES unveils the newly renovated BX

After nine months of construction and renovations, the Army and Air Force Exchange Services held a grand re-opening of the Grand Forks Air Force Base Base Exchange Nov. 17.AAFES said they invested a total of $4 million into the project."The renovations include the walls, ceilings, floors, lights and

Expeditionary Center NCO named top instructor by national organization

A U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center non-commissioned officer here was recently recognized as the 2009 National Defense Transportation Association's Outstanding Instructor of the Year during the NDTA's forum and exposition Sept. 20 in Baltimore, Md.Staff Sgt. Robyn Tabako, an instructor with