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Commentary Search

  • Letter to Airmen - Thank you

    18 AF Airmen,First, let me say what an honor it is to be back in the mobility business and Eighteenth Air Force! Your reputation for dedicated service and professionalism is well established and precedes you wherever you go. Whether you are airdropping Paratroopers over Spain, refueling fighters

  • Staying safe, remaining vigilant

    If you've been watching the news lately, you've undoubtedly seen the tragic results of terrorism in Paris and other parts of the world; and you may have even heard about threats in the U.S.Should all of this concern us? Sure, to an extent. While running around scared there's a terrorist hiding

  • Lunchtime Leadership

    Walking into the Warrior Dinning Facility for the first-ever "Lunchtime Leadership Lessons" event, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I was told that a veteran was going to impart some of his experience with Airmen during lunch.I grabbed my food and sat down. I was curious about what he was going

  • Honoring my Veteran Grandpa

    When people ask why I joined the military; my response is always, "because my grandpa was in the military, I wanted to be like him."My grandpa, retired Navy Lt. Cmdr John Phillip Shelton, spent 24 years in the Navy. He first enlisted in 1968 as an Aviation Fire Control Technician, then commissioned

  • Come on, peephole! Throw in the towel

    If you've been stationed at a northern tier base for more than one winter month, you're likely guilty of being a "peephole driver" - scraping just enough frost or snow off your windshield or letting your struggling defroster melt off a few square inches to where you think it's safe to drive. In

  • Focus on PEOPLE - not promotion

    The new U.S. Air Force promotion and stratification process is a hot topic concerning our Airmen. When addressing recent chief's and shirt's panels, I have found it best to emphasize and encourage our Airmen to establish and follow a proven leadership philosophy. Too often our Airmen are focusing on

  • Airmen ... get involved in your Air Force

    Being a new Airman, at a new base, in a whole different part of the country can be challenging. Starting a military career, in-processing and attending the First Term Airman Center program can maximize stress levels. On top of having to establish one's self in the operational world, there are events

  • Money, manpower and minutes

    I'm about to make a big statement, so pay attention.I believe anything physically possible can be accomplished with the right amount of money, manpower and minutes. That's right. Anything. Just look at some of the amazing architecture and technology devised by the Romans, Egyptians and others

  • 18th AF Letter to Airmen

    Mobility Airmen,It was just over a year ago I assumed command of 18th Air Force, and it has been a humbling and challenging, but also gratifying, experience. Looking back at this past year, I am thoroughly impressed and amazed by what you have been able to accomplish every day. Thank you for your

  • Don't be a rat!

    The word "rat" carries with it many meanings and connotations, such as in "I'm gonna rat you out," "you dirty rat," "rat race," and, of course, "aww, rats!" Regardless of the meaning, I think we can all agree that most uses of the word are negative (no offense intended to all the loving pet rat