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  • My reflection of an unforgettable day

    We remember many things that have occurred in our history: the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Kennedy's assassination and when the Boston Red Sox won the World Series. But Sept. 11, 2001, was the day that time stopped. For me it was the day when I knew I had made the right decision to join the military and protect America and its people from

  • Are you ready for the unexpected?

    You never know when and how you will be tested, but each of us must give our best for Team McChord to succeed in our upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection. Are you ready to step up if called upon? In World War II, the 8th Air Force was America's bomber force in northwest Europe. Until late 1943, a main obstacle to getting bombs on target was

  • Air Force core values should extend into our personal lives

    The Air Force core values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do provide excellent guideposts on how to conduct our professional military lives. Because they are so closely associated with the Air Force, their application often stops there. In actuality, they are great guides for our personal lives as well.This

  • Using your leave: A must for recharging yourself, your family

    As I daily fought the urge to worry about work piling up at the office while I was on leave, I was reminded of the need to periodically disconnect from the Air Force and reconnect with my family and friends. My evaluation management system list was growing, my preparation for the operation readiness inspection was lagging, and our next deployment

  • A letter to 18th Air Force Airmen

    To the Airmen of our great global mobility enterprise: thank you!Last week I had the honor of becoming your 18th Air Force commander. I can honestly say there are few experiences more rewarding and humbling than command, and even more so when it is command of our Air Force's largest Numbered Air Force.Although my recent assignments were outside of

  • Enlisted Airmen and private organizations

    For enlisted Airmen, serving others is as natural as waking up in the morning. Many of us, though, seek to give a little bit more than what is asked of us. We understand that it takes the commitment of countless people, joined by a common thread and united for a common cause, to preserve the time-honored traditions and heritage of our military

  • Overcoming disadvantages

    I attended a commander's call and Bronze Star presentation some time ago. The audience heard the importance of global reach in today's fight and the commander linked how the recipient's achievements dovetailed into the larger fight. He transitioned to challenges ahead and introduced his re-motivation step. He cited George Washington's crossing of

  • We do it better than anybody

    "We bring the word 'rapid' to rapid global mobility. We do it for allies, we do it for partners, and we do it for friends. We do it because we have to, because it is what Americans do, and we do it better than anybody," said Lt. Gen. Mark F. Ramsay when he assumed command of the 18th Air Force here Sept. 23, 2011. Since that time the command's

  • Volunteering a future in Kyrgyzstan and Turkey

    As our van slows to drop us off at a school outside Manas, Kyrgyzstan, we catch a glimpse of a shattered Soviet monument. Its presence reminds us of the ongoing struggle this great nation faces as it rebuilds following decades of Soviet hardship and abandonment. Inside, lead-based paint chips off classroom walls revealing thin layers of cracked

  • What it means to PCS

    I'm one of the lucky people who live on base here at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. As of today, the house to the right of mine is empty. Three houses up on the left is empty as is the one next door to that one. What does it all mean? That's right, it's permanent change of station (PCS) season. I grew up a military brat; the son of a father who was
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