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COMMENTARIES

  • Overcoming disadvantages

    I attended a commander's call and Bronze Star presentation some time ago. The audience heard the importance of global reach in today's fight and the commander linked how the recipient's achievements dovetailed into the larger fight. He transitioned to challenges ahead and introduced his

  • Airmen's message to those who lead

    Last week I was fortunate enough to be asked to serve as a member of the Airmen's panel at the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Professional Enhancement Seminar. I was excited to speak beside two sharp Airmen to a group of soon-to-be senior NCOs who wanted an Airman's perspective on their role as

  • When disaster strikes be prepared

    It's been heartbreaking to watch the news over the past several months. The devastation of the communities hit by tornadoes is fierce and complete. They are coming together as a community and freely expressing their gratitude over being safe, alive and having their families intact. There are very

  • The paper test for all Airmen

    Just the other day I had the opportunity to sit on a chief's panel during the Senior NCO Professional Enhancement Seminar. What an impressive group. As I sat there I wondered how many of them would pass my basic leadership test. When asked about how I measure leadership I always apply the same

  • Service before self...a family affair

    The Ravens of the 344th Air Refueling Squadron directly support the 22nd Air Refueling Wing's mission by delivering mission ready Airmen, skilled in KC-135 Stratotanker operations to combatant commanders ... "Anytime, Anywhere!" Our squadron performs this mission with what appears to be great ease,

  • Practice motorcycle safety this summer

    Isn't the weather beautiful during this season here in Northern California? At times it can be a little hot, but for the most part the weather's great and it's the perfect time to ride a motorcycle. Most know motorcycles can be very dangerous though. They do not offer as much protection to the

  • Clear expectations guide Airmen, squadron

    In the season of change of commands I'm reminded of when I first was a Mission Support Group executive officer and my group commander provided his "commander's intent." At that time I was a brand new captain and I'd never had a commander provide to me in writing what his expectations were. I liked

  • There I was: TCN duty

    Late last year, I was tasked to deploy as an escort for third-country nationals. TCNs are civilian personnel who are utilized to help the military accomplish its mission at deployed locations. I had just returned from leave when I was informed I would deploy. When I was first tasked, I only had a

  • Lending a helping hand in the DR

    Despite the fact I have served in the military for 26 years, every humanitarian mission I have served as a physician's assistant is a new experience and adventure. My last humanitarian mission was in the beautiful Dominican Republic, where we provided medical care to 8,532 people of Puerto Plata in

  • Science fiction turns into reality

    As a child, I recall seeing an Air Force commercial of a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling two F-117A Nighthawks, but those aircrafts were not what etched the commercial into my memory. It was the moment of seeing a B-2 Spirit approaching the KC-135.The oddly shaped plane seemed somewhat