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  • The relevance of OPSEC

    During the Vietnam War, a special team was established to address the alarming number of pilot casualties and aircraft lost from enemy attacks. The team, known as "Purple Dragon," was established to take a critical look at operational tactics and mission planning. What the team eventually discovered was a host of "open source" information that
  • Saluting military children

    Saluting our military children

    Given that we are in the high season for permenant changes of station, I thought it fitting to take some time to thank and recognize our families -- specifically our children. The month of April is the month of the military child, however, it's during these times that they could use a little more thanks. When we think of military children, we think

  • Maintaining internal balance key to performance

    I have heard the phrase, "Take care of yourself." For many years, I viewed it as an overused cliché. Throughout my career, I have realized no matter the assignment, there is one constant: the demand the Air Force places on me, and that I place on myself, to do my best every day. I have also realized that the key to maintaining my best, is taking

  • Overcoming tragedy: A small town reaches out

    On May 26, 2011, our squadron received the horrible news about Staff Sgt. Joe Hamski, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordinance disposal craftsman, who recently made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan. Joe's death was especially tough for us, because his wife Christina is also an Air Force staff sergeant and superstar member of our

  • In a Word: Opportunity

    I remember the day like it was just last week: I was sitting in my seventh-period high school English class in Turlock, Calif., late summer of 1980. The windows were open, but that offered no relief from the sweltering heat. I had done my homework, but many others hadn't, so the teacher was going over the lesson in excruciating detail. This was the

  • The first step is the hardest

    It started with an assignment I wasn't too keen on taking. We all have them, where we have already been there, done that and wanted something else. I knew the assignment would be difficult since I recently retrained into a different career field. I hadn't expected or been told before arriving that I would be a 3-level NCO of a job I was just
  • 65th Air Base Wing Command Chief Samuel Hagadorn and his wife, Loida, pin second lieutenant bars on daughter Shannon Hagadorn at an AFROTC commissioning ceremony May 14 at the University of Arizona in Tucson. (Courtesy photo)

    The Air Force Wife - Life Is a Classroom

    As an Air Force spouse, I've had an incredible journey. I met my husband, Sam, in the Philippines in 1982. He was at his first duty station at Clark Air Base, living in the dormitory. Back then, single Airmen lived in the dormitory with at least two per room. Sam's roommate, Romeo, was a Filipino who had joined the Air Force and gained his American

  • Air Force leaders issue Memorial Day message

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz send the following Memorial Day message to the Airmen of the U.S. Air Force and their families:As we pause this Memorial Day to honor those who have died in service of our great Nation, it is also useful to reflect on what this day of remembrance reveals

  • Remember those who served

    June has special significance for Americans and Europeans. On June 6, 1944, allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy. As I reflect on the sacrifice "The Greatest Generation" made some 67 years ago, I can't help but think about a young man who I had the distinct honor to receive back home in Colorado after his untimely death during Operation
  • GEROLSTEIN, Germany –Airmen from the 606th Air Control Squadron line up for breakfast as part of exercise Eifel Thunder 2011 here May 10. The 606th ACS participated in a field exercise that tested their ability to deploy and set up a deployed radar and satellite communications site as well as everything else required to accomplish their mission. The squadron returned to Spangdahlem Air Base May 16. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nick Wilson)

    Photographer's insight: Personal experiences at Eifel Thunder 2011

    "I love you, Trey," I said."Gaahh," my 2-month-old son said with a big smile on his face while squeezing the blood circulation out of my index finger and rapidly kicking his fat little legs as if he was running a marathon.I could feel a couple of tears slowly trickling down my cheeks like rain drops on a windshield before I kissed my wife goodbye
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