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  • The Air Force family taking care of each other

    I have been a member of the Air Force family for over 47 years. That family was there to take me to school when I missed the bus as a kindergartner and decided to walk the two miles to school instead of bothering my mom. There were four young Airmen, probably on their way to Vietnam, which

  • 13th Air Force one year later … a look back

    One year ago Oct. 6, 13th Air Force stood up as a component-numbered air force, and what an exciting year it's been. Also the same day, the 15th Airlift Wing was aligned under 13th AF, thus joining the "Jungle Air Force" family, which included Headquarters, 13th AF and the 36th Wing at Andersen Air

  • Defeating Murphy's Law, conquering the outdoors

    A lot of people don't know this, but I was born with a genetic defect. There is apparently a gene that runs through my family's bloodline that causes perverse bad luck and proves that God does in fact have a somewhat twisted sense of humor. This condition is so rampant in my family that science

  • Making a difference in our 21st Century Air Force

    The program, Program Budget Decision 720, and similar programs, have gone a long way toward trimming the "fat" from America's Air Force. Our increasing reliance upon technology and associated personnel cuts makes contributions of those of us remaining in the military service all the more important.

  • What fitness means to me...in simple terms

    Leadership, whether in a family, at work, or on a sports team, is best represented by one who is morally, intellectually, and physically fit. Being morally fit involves following rules, creating conditions for success, doing things right, and doing the right things. Intellectual fitness is enhanced

  • FOURTH of JULY

    The FOURTH of JULY...even saying it out loud makes me feel good and smile! The Middle of the Summer...baseball....hotdogs...ice cream...maybe a Parade or a round of Golf...BUT always ending with FIREWORKS! Yes, the Misawa Airmen will remind me of the sea fog and fireworks sometimes pushed off to

  • Adapt or die

    The three words stood emblazoned on the small plaque behind the colonel's head. In his typical freight-train style he explained his philosophy to me - the new lieutenant. We have those moments early in our careers when we hear something from a senior leader that sticks with us. I was having my

  • Defending our nation is every servicemember's job

    "That's not my job." We've all heard these words or some variation of them at some point in our career. What did it say to you about the individual or the organization that person represents? What would be the impact on our mission if we let this mentality creep into our culture? Today, our service

  • We are called Airmen

    What do we call a person who drives trucks in the Marines, regardless of rank or position? No, this isn't a joke. You call them a Marine. Every Marine is trained and ready to perform as a member or leader of a rifle platoon. What do we call a food service specialist in the Army? This isn't a joke or

  • Vehicle security helps combat terrorism

    You're on your way home after a long, hectic day at work and the last mission of the day is a stop at the post office to check the mail. It's a quick in-and-out visit, so instead of shutting off the engine and locking the car, you decide to leave it running while dashing inside. How many times have