Commentary Search

  • ROK Ranger Qualification Course builds camaraderie

    Completing the storied Republic of Korea Ranger Qualification Course was a bittersweet day for both the American and Korean trainees. Although we were relieved to complete such a challenging achievement, the camaraderie and friendship we shared throughout the course will be truly missed. We sweat

  • Kunsan court-martial shows complexity of sexual assault

    On May 22, 2014, the 8th Fighter Wing stood down flying operations to focus on sexual assault prevention and response. In the Kunsan Air Base courtroom, however, military justice operations were running at full force for a sexual assault general court-martial. Over the course of four days, a panel

  • Decide for yourself this Memorial Day

    Perhaps you have trained years for this singular moment; a moment in time where all of your focus, knowledge, morals, beliefs, ideology, and bravery become concentrated into a decision. Maybe this is a decision that could mean life or death for thousands of lives, your teammates' or simply your own.

  • Rapid Raptor moves JBER F-22s closer to the fight

    The Rapid Raptor capability measured in the past three Polar Force exercises enables F-22 Raptors to arrive on scene with a single C-17 Globemaster III and their maintenance and munitions crews to load weapons onto aircraft, bringing them to combat ready status - ready to move, refuel and rearm - in

  • Lessons in compassion

    "Without mercy, man is like a beast. Even if you are hard on yourself, be merciful to others."- Quote from Kenji Mizoguchi's 1954 film, Sansho the Bailiff. On Aug. 20, 2012, I woke at 2:30 a.m. My bed, usually crowded with my wife, Cece, and two cats, Miki and Lulu, was empty. Down the hallway of

  • Handy speaks to personal responsibility

    "This is the future we seek in the Asia Pacific -- security, prosperity and dignity for all. That's what we stand for. That's who we are. That's the future we will pursue, in partnership with allies and friends, and with every element of American power. So let there be no doubt: In the Asia Pacific

  • I will no longer be a victim: A silent victim is a victim forever

    As a young child the horrors of sexual violence arrested my sense of safety, security and the sanctity of my home - robbing me of self-worth, my voice and the development of healthy boundaries. At the age of four I became a guilt-riddled, withdrawn and a painfully shy child. I was frightened of the

  • Alaskan war dogs: Bridging past to future

    Editor's note: This is the third and final part of a series featuring the history of the military's use of sled dogs in Alaska. For the first part, click here. For the second part, click here.It was not long after World War II that organizations such as the Alaska Dog Mushers Association and Alaskan

  • 50 YEARS since 1964 earthquake catastrophe: Military integral to recovery

    It was a quiet Friday evening in Anchorage, March 27, 1964. The Good Friday holiday meant many people were having festive meals at home. Then, at 5:36 p.m., the earthquake struck - a 9.2 on the Richter scale, the largest ever in North America and second only to the 1960 quake in Chile. The temblor

  • Alaskan war dogs: Heroism defined

    Editor's note: This is the second part of a series featuring the history of the military's use of sled dogs in Alaska. For the first part, click here.During World War I, the French government asked Alaska's Darling Kennels and Alaskan Scotty Allan, All Alaska Sweepstakes winner of the 1909, 1911 and