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  • BALA MURGHAB, Afghanistan – A profile of the team of U.S. Army scouts and attachments who fought at Operation Red Sand, Bala Murghab District, Badghis Province, Afghanistan. Five Service members were wounded in the mission, including: Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace, military working dog Petty Officer 1st Class ‘Valdo,’ Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Lee, Sgt. Jeff Sheppard and Pfc. Ben Bradley. (U.S. Air Force illustration/Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace)

    Flashbacks of War: Remembering Red Sand

    Like many, I was prepared to lay down my life for my country each time I shipped off to war. There were a few times when I genuinely believed the cost would be my life, but, sadly it's turned out to be much more.The sacrifices paid in combat can't be quantified in dollars or time, but are counted in tears shed by those who love and support us while

  • My job is prosecuting sexual assault

    Here's a simple truth...sexual offenders reject our core values of integrity, service and excellence, in favor of following their own base, undisciplined, criminal desires. Most sexual assaults committed by Airmen are "blue on blue," or Airmen victimizing other Airmen. So in addition to rejecting our core values, these undisciplined Airmen reject

  • Attitude: The key ingredient in resiliency

    "There will be demands upon your ability, upon your endurance, upon your disposition, upon your patience...just as fire tempers iron into fine steel so does adversity temper one's character into firmness, tolerance, and determination" - Sen. Margaret Chase Smith. As we've gone through the past couple of resiliency days, I, like many other people,

  • I heard retreat today

    I don't get out to the base much these days. I don't even remember what I needed to pick up, but after a long day of yard work I stopped by the Shoppette. I found a good parking spot and headed into the store, and just before entering, I heard the scratchy recording of "To the Colors" start to bleat out of the public address system. It was an old

  • Transforming sexual assault prevention in the Air Force

    Air Force leadership takes sexual assault prevention very seriously and continuously works towards creating a culture where sexual assaults are eliminated. To that end, senior Air Force leaders recently participated in a Sexual Assault Prevention Summit at Andrews AFB, Maryland in the continuing effort to improve the process how the Air Force deals

  • Managing risks of an every-day AF life

    Is Risk Management (RM) simply a required checklist to complete before performing your duties -something to cover the basics? What about RM and your off-duty activities? The fact that the Air Force loses more Airmen to off-duty mishaps compared to on duty warrants a look at what we do every day that puts us at risk.As the dreary winter weather

  • Showing skin: 7 ways to reduce risk of sun damage

    Summertime is here! We will soon enjoy time at the beach, swimming pools, bike rides and more time doing outdoor activities all because of precious sunlight. The sun provides us with the benefits of Vitamin D production, warmth and a good mood. While we enjoy the wonderful solar benefits, it is important to use proven methods to reduce the risk of

  • Finding your way down a winding Air Force road

    There are many things in life we can't change, the ones who we grow close to, the ones who bring meaning to what we do, the people who change us -- our true friends.Many times throughout the course of my 14-year Air Force career I have felt I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I think I was mistaken by that. I think in fact I was in the

  • Memorial Day marks beginning of Critical Days of Summer

    Memorial Day is a day to remember our fellow Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us and an opportunity to spend time with family and friends.Take this time to honor those who gave their lives to defend our freedoms and those that continue to do so today. Whether you observe this Memorial Day visiting cemeteries and memorial events or

  • Are you in the fight?

    You are probably well aware of the 10,800 x 300 foot runway, the 55 million gallon fuel storage capacity, and the high frequency communications facilities at Lajes Field. As I write this, you may even be watching the arrival of the largest number of fighters to transit Lajes Field at one time in several years. But, from a small island in the middle
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