Commentary Search

  • 'Thank you' not necessary; U.S. forces honored to help reopen Sendai

    I cannot put into words the carnage left behind by the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent 33-foot tsunami March 11, 2011. More than 300 miles of eastern coastline along Japan's main island of Honshu was destroyed. Some of the most graphic initial images were of Sendai Airport and its nearby

  • Airlift shows value in Japan disaster

    "Humanitarian airlift operations are of greatest and most direct benefit to the individual victims of disaster or emergency. For them, the rapid movement of cargo or personnel can make a life-or-death difference. But humanitarian airlift operations also benefit, as a whole, the countries to which

  • Service before self

    I felt like my teeth were about to rattle out of my head as I held on to the frame of the old Chinese truck that ferried us to the work site each day. My back ached and my hands were blistered. The scorching heat of the Southeast Asian sun beat down with little shade to hide us from it. It was the

  • We aim to please ... You aim, too, please!

    When posed with the question of what weapons safety means to you, what answer does your mind conjure up? In the heat of the battle or during a base exercise, the importance of weapons safety, retention and employment becomes vitally important. This is especially true to those who do not carry

  • Facebook: The enemy's best friend, so be careful

    What do Soviet spies and Facebook have in common? They assist the enemy in obtaining information that would otherwise be secret. It is too often you go online and see social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter with information that violates operational security (OPSEC). I remember

  • Contamination avoidance protects personnel, equipment

    If a chemical attack were to occur at your base, what can you do to avoid contamination? Place all mission-essential equipment inside or under overhead protection. Those items that do not have overhead protection should be covered with at least two sheets of plastic. Ensure that the plastic is

  • Taking care of your Air Force family

    Last July brought an end to the Year of the Air Force Family -- a year devoted to providing Airmen, their families and local communities information regarding the variety and scope of programs offered by the Air Force. This year-long dedication centering on our families and the communities we live

  • Know your heritage and fly lead

    The 2011 Chief of Staff of the Air Force reading list came out Jan. 21 and one of the books that made the list was "Fighter Pilot: The Memoirs of Legendary Ace Robin Olds." This name should sound familiar to the Airmen of the 8th Fighter Wing. Yes, the room you pass by on the way to Mongolian

  • The wingman concept: Strive to "get it"

    Here is the scenario: you're in the gym and notice two individuals tossing weights around without note of who is around them or care to the damage they may be causing. Finally, someone has had enough and ventures over to speak with them. Not wanting to eavesdrop (but we all like to, right?), you

  • Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll: Works for Rock Stars, but Airmen? Not So Much

    Sex, drugs and rock and roll ...This way of life might work for some civilians, but for Misawa Airmen it proved to be nothing but a hangover in the closing months of 2010. Misconduct has cost Misawa Airmen many stripes, lots of money and significant freedom during these months. These failures in