14 Aug 2013

Note from the commander on Unit Effectiveness Inspection survey

92nd Team--active duty, civilians, contractors and our families:Please review the note below the cut-line from Air Mobility Command Inspector General Brig. Gen. Steven J. Arquiette, asking all of us to complete a survey in preparation for an upcoming assessment.Next February, the AMC IG will inspect our Wing as part of the new inspection process,

13 Aug 2013

The Primacy of Flight: Why we Fly, Fight and Win

Aug. 19 is the National Day of Flight. As Americans, we celebrate flight and recognize how it has propelled us as a nation to new horizons from the windswept beaches of Kitty Hawk to the eerily quiet lunar landscape. As Airmen in an Air Refueling Wing, we trumpet flight daily and use it to dominate the globe. We see the primacy of flight on every

13 Aug 2013

From the Secretary of Defense: The integrity of the military justice process

Military justice is an essential element of good order and discipline, the indispensable ingredient that allows our Armed Forces to be the best in the world. Central to military justice is the trust that those involved in the process base their decisions on their independent judgment. Their judgment, in turn, must be based purely on the facts of

5 Aug 2013

Colonel George E. "Bud" Day: A legacy of survival

On July 27th Col. George E. "Bud" Day, a true American hero, passed away at age 88. Day's exploits are legendary. A veteran of three wars serving as an enlisted Marine in World War II and a fighter pilot in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Day earned 70 decorations, including more than 50 for actions in combat. In April 1967, then Major Day was

16 Jul 2013

Diversity equals mutual respect

Air Force Instruction 36-7001, Diversity, defines diversity as "...a composite of individual characteristics, experiences and abilities consistent with the Air Force core values and the Air Force mission. Air Force diversity includes, but is not limited to: personal life experiences, geographic background, socioeconomic background, cultural

9 Jul 2013

Uncommon Airman

I do not choose to be a common man.It is my right to be uncommon--if I can.I seek opportunity--not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.I refuse to sacrifice incentive for a hand-out. I prefer the

8 Jul 2013

Leap to Your Limits

One of the lessons I carry around with me every day is something I learned from the jumping events in high school track and field. I was intimidated by the high jump. Unlike the long jump, where every leap into the sand pit could be measured and faults were not embarrassing, the high jump presented a daunting binary challenge: clear the bar or make

1 Jul 2013

Reflecting on our country and leadership

As we remember all those who have served and developed our country, it reminds us how important it is to ensure we continue to produce the best and most competent leaders in the Air Force. Our nation expects it, and the only way for us to ensure we maintain the best Air Force in the world is to put our heart and soul into grooming the next

25 Jun 2013

July 4th-A powerhouse and pinnacle celebration...for our posterity

I often write the words "powerhouse" and "pinnacle" to describe my top commanders and officers on the bottom line of their performance reports. It is one of my strongest compliments. As I reflect on our nation's 237th birthday and all we as a wing have sacrificed this year, these two words also aptly describe this incredible All-American holiday.

11 Jun 2013

Old Glory: More than a Symbol

Every year we celebrate Flag Day on the 14th of June, our Flag's birthday and the day our Stars and Stripes were officially adopted in 1777. For me, more so than ever before, today recognizes our flag as more than just a symbol. This past month, Old Glory blanketed our Fallen Fairchild Warriors, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, as a