Commentaries

"Pedestrians have the right of way?"
May 9, 2007 — If you ever find yourself at a crosswalk with signs on either side that read, "Yield to Pedestrians" or "Pedestrians Have the Right of Way," do not automatically assume that you can just start walking across the street. About 84,000 people suffer nonfatal injuries and almost 6,000 pedestrians are killed by automobiles every year. Almost one-third... MORE

Farewell Team Charleston
May 2, 2007 — WOW!Where did the time go? Can you remember when your recruiter told you basic training would be the fastest 6 weeks of your life? Today is my retirement ceremony to celebrate 30 years of service to the United States Air Force. As I reflect on the past years, I find it hard to believe that 30 years have gone by so fast. It really seems like... MORE

Military families live in freedom's shadow
May 2, 2007 — Team Charleston is awesome! The 16th Airlift Squadron deployed this week for our 120-day opportunity to respond and support the Global War on Terror. As the 16 AS prepared to depart, the men & women of this base displayed the professionalism and excellence that is Team Charleston. When approaching a 120-day deployment, the experience is directly... MORE

Are you fit to fight?
May 2, 2007 — Are you physically ready to meet the challenges of the Air Force? For some this is a very easy question to answer. For others it is not. We are now in the third year of the new fitness standards. When this program was introduced, I was not ready. Thankfully, we had a one-year grace period to get ready. The Air Force Chief of Staff directed new... MORE

Command Chief's Corner
April 25, 2007 — Let me begin this week by offering a very special thank you to all of the administrative professionals assigned to Team Charleston. Earlier this week we recognized them formally but I wanted to make sure I gave my own little "shout out" to them. I learned early on in my career that the people who knew everything about everything were the folks... MORE

Get your hands dirty
April 25, 2007 — I have an ongoing joke with a 437th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle mechanic about getting my hands dirty. On the very few occasions he's actually seen me do an oil change, he's asked me if I just plunged my hands into a bucket of oil to make it look like I'd really done some work. In reality, the real work is done by the troops who have to... MORE

First sergeant discusses benefits of Air Force Career
April 25, 2007 — As I close on a 20-year career in the Air Force and begin the search for a second career, I can't help but think about the benefits the Air Force provided my family and me throughout the years. As a first sergeant, I get a lot of Airmen who come to me for advice but the one question that stands out is "Why should I stay in?" I usually ask them if... MORE

Commander's Comments
April 25, 2007 — As Jill and I prepare to depart for Dover AFB, Del., and begin the next chapter in our Air Force lives, we'd like to offer a heartfelt "thank you" to Team Charleston for a truly wonderful ride! Over the last two years, we've watched with amazement and pride as you've won virtually every individual, unit and organizational award in Air Mobility... MORE

Commander's Comments
April 18, 2007 — Last week I had the distinct pleasure of attending Phoenix Rally, a gathering of Air Mobility Command leadership. Words can't express the pride I feel when my counterparts talk about the great things Team Charleston is doing! Commanders throughout AMC, as well as those in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, are well aware about what Team... MORE

Command Chief's Corner
April 18, 2007 — Good morning, Team Charleston! Let me start this week by saying thank you. Not necessarily to one particular person or group of people, but to all of you. Not because you have performed some extraordinary feat or reached some previously considered unreachable milestone, but for what you do each and every day. You ensure that when called upon, we... MORE