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  • Women’s History Month celebrates progress

    Throughout our history, women have made great contributions to our country. Women fought for independence, became doctors, ministers and lawyers; and this was all before finally gaining the right to vote in 1920. It's in honor of these great women of our past that McChord celebrates Women's History Month this March. In the Revolutionary War, when

  • Senior noncommissioned officers rise above odds

    This week, the list of senior master sergeant selectees was released. Accepting this stripe symbolizes more than another promotion in your career. You've fought an uphill battle and will soon be one step closer to becoming the highest enlisted grade in the Air Force. Let's examine what it takes to become a senior master sergeant. In addition to the

  • The bottom three: Leaving your mark

    I recently came across a series of questions, the origin of which is somewhat sketchy. I take no personal credit for them, but I think they offer an excellent opportunity for all of us to reflect on our roles as leaders. The questions posed here are not direct quotations, but capture the essence of the argument. Regardless of rank or position, I

  • Retirement ceremony fitting end to AF career

    Today, Lt. Gen. Christopher Kelly, Air Mobility Command vice commander will retire a great Airman, Col. Chris Coley, the 62nd Airlift Wing director of staff. His retirement has made me reflect on the many retirement ceremonies I've attended and presided over throughout my years in the Air Force. Retirements are unique ceremonies, different from any

  • ‘Airmen first’ concept reality for changing Air Force

    Putting on your uniform and wearing your stripes is not something to be taken lightly. Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley said it best: "Serving as an Airman is an honor that thousands of young Americans want, but do not attain ..." There are currently more than 38,000 enlisted Airmen serving in more than 100 career fields in

  • The U.S. Constitution: A document worth defending

    "We the people ..." You probably recognize these words. They are the first three words on the document we swore to support and defend -- the Constitution of the United States of America. "In order to form a more perfect union ..." Almost 230 years ago, on Sep. 17, 1787, 39 sons of liberty signed this historic document establishing our basis of

  • Testing for promotion requires dedication, determination

    How badly do you want that next stripe? Testing for promotion should not be taken lightly. Planning, concentration and determination are the keys to successful test-taking. The material covered in both the promotion fitness exam and skill knowledge test require the individual's complete understanding. It's your responsibility to prepare yourselves.

  • MOBEX will train Airmen to meet AF needs

    Next week, the wing will undergo an initial response exercise, testing our ability to get our Airmen out the door and to the fight, wherever it may be. With nearly 600 Airmen currently deployed from McChord, we are proving our ability to bring the fight to the frontlines of freedom everyday. While deploying may seem second nature to us now, so many
  • Nancy Harkness Love

    Women aviators: Role models for Airmen

    It's that time of year when we celebrate the accomplishments of some of my favorite people -- women. With Women's History month approaching, I thought I'd take this opportunity to introduce you to someone who should figure as a role model for any of us in the airlift business and add to your understanding of Air Force history as a whole. Her name

  • Improvements, innovation require every Airman

    These past two weeks, Team McChord was honored with visits from a number of Air Force leaders. We welcomed Gen. Duncan McNabb, the Air Mobility Command commander; Maj. Gen. James Hawkins, the 18th Air Force commander; and Maj. Gen. Scott Gray, the Air Mobility Warfare Center and Rodeo commander. Throughout the course of their visits, McChord Airmen
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