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  • Tomorrow's challenges met by building partnerships today

    While it's tough to predict the future, sometimes we can get close. One prediction we can be sure of is this: international partnerships will continue to be critical to U.S. national security. In fact, we are so sure of this that in early 2009 the U.S. Air Force added "Building Partnerships" (BP) to

  • Mentorship: Our unwritten core responsibility

    The Air Force grows its military leaders from within. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz started out as a lieutenant, and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy as an airman. None of our leaders are hired directly from the corporate world into their current positions. Thus, all

  • Feeding camels is tiresome, yet important task

    When my 3-year-old asked me why I was going to the desert in 2004, my reply was simple. I said, "Daddy has to go feed the camels," and that was enough to sustain his curiosity. My 7- and 8-year-olds didn't buy it.Despite their doubt and his bewilderment, I went forth and tried my best to help by

  • Expanded digital access requires same common sense

    Social networking sites are open to Air Force servicemembers and employees in the workplace. This change to policy has raised many questions about using social media officially and personally in the workplace.But when you get right down to it, little has changed. The rules established for Internet

  • Supervisor or tormentor?

    In my 28 years of service, I have found that supervisors usually fall into one of two categories: bad or good. I know, you are thinking that is two very basic categories to place supervisors in but I have found it to be true in most cases. Fortunately, all but three of my supervisors fell into the

  • AFAF not just for chiefs, widows

    In 2004, when I first signed up to give money to the Air Force Aid Foundation, I pictured retired chiefs and widows living at an old-folks home. My donations would ensure they had a place to live or food, or at least reduced their out-of-pocket expenses. A few months later, I, instead, became a

  • There is an answer

    Have you ever woken up after a night of drinking and wondered what you did? Have you looked for physical clues on your body to see if you've had sex, fought someone or got sick? Have you felt guilty wondering what you have done and afraid to ask your friends; drank a lot quickly to get to that point

  • Be thankful for your Air Force family

    I received an e-mail at the end of February from one of my best friends. Before I tell you about the e-mail, I should tell you a bit about my friend. We were both commissioned on the same day in 1995 and met on the first day of my first assignment in the Air Force. Despite going separate ways more

  • Commentary: An out-of-this-world breakfast

    Am I on the moon? Right now, I feel like I'm lost in space and am unable to get back to earth.After covering the "Legends of Aerospace: The Impossible Is Possible" tour at RAF Mildenhall's Galaxy Club last night, and getting the surreal experience of getting to personally meet and interview Neil

  • Saluting much bigger than it appears on the surface

    I was going to write an amusing, but pointed, message about saluting vehicles marked by appropriate rank symbols. But the story I'll mention is not that hilarious when you critically think about it, and it represents a more strategic issue at hand. I'm hosting a three-star general officer at one of