Commentaries

  • Maintaining a Proud Legacy

    As we have recently reflected on those that fought and died for our country during the Memorial Day weekend, my question is are you maintaining a proud legacy? We realize that our nation was founded and maintained by the lives of countless patriots. Each day we lace up our boots and put on our

  • A weekend to remember

    While Team Little Rock Airmen were participating in Sports Day activities April 17 and the Eagles were beating the Chiefs in softball, two prominent honorary commanders from the base and I were heading out on our own great adventure. That day, Mr. Phil Davis, honorary 19th Airlift Wing commander,

  • All accidents are preventable

    I recently had some discussions with personnel from my squadron. We talked about safety incidents that we'd heard of and experienced. We talked about working in industrial areas like the flightline and we discussed accidents that happen on our highways and in our homes. To sort of "stir the pot" and

  • Renewing our commitment

    Chief Master Sgt. Richard Turcotte, 314th Airlift Wing command chief, and I had the opportunity to review the Basic Military Training graduation at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, April 24. I had not previously had the opportunity to witness the accession of the world's greatest Airmen, and I was

  • Leadership: Accomplish the mission

    An experienced veteran told me about a welcome he received stepping off a plane at his newly deployed location. As was customary, the deployed commander met arriving personnel. Expecting words of welcome and encouragement, the Airman was surprised by his new commander's first words. "I've given 14

  • Good Pain

    As I debated hitting the snooze button the other day at 5:15 a.m., I began to ponder, was it really necessary to get up and go for an early morning run? I quickly decided to move out versus rolling over and got up and ran. While running around the track I started to ponder the concept of good

  • Top 10 ways to dazzle IG: No. 7 Safety

    "Approach duties with a safety-oriented mindset, know when not to press forward on actions because they're unsafe and apply operational risk management techniques to accomplish the mission!" - Maj. Gen. Mark Zamzow, former Air Mobility Command inspector general, TIG Brief Sept.-Oct. 2004Safety is

  • Do you have an exit strategy?

    "Raise your hand if you are getting out of the Air Force." I ask this question every time I address a group of personnel reporting in to the Operations Group. The reaction is typically the same - looks of horror or the "I can't believe he just asked me that" look. Why do I get this reaction? More

  • Be Air Force green

    For the longest time, I was convinced global warming was an issue created and sustained by tree huggers with nothing better to do than make unwanted noise and use guilt to manipulate our society. I still haven't completely shelved that line of thinking, but I think it's irresponsible to overlook the

  • Top 10 ways to dazzle IG: No. 6 Appearance

    "Look people in the eye, pop that sharp salute, and exceed those standards for uniform, boots and hair! "--Maj. Gen. Mark Zamzow, TIG Brief, Sept.-Oct. 2004 Appearance. Appearances do matter. Part of the pride and tradition of the military service is the fact that we strive to be the best dressed