Commentaries

Command Chief's Corner
December 12, 2007 — Team Charleston, as this holiday season continues with all the parties and festive gatherings, we must be even more vigilant to avoid bad choices that can ruin our holiday fun. This message is one you've heard many times before and although the risks are well-known, the decision to drink and drive remains a choice many people continue to make. We... MORE

Stay as fit as you were when you were younger
December 12, 2007 — While at home watching television this month, I discovered the 2007 Ironman World Championship was being televised from Kona, Hawaii. Although I had watched previous Ironman competitions in the past, the idea of swimming, biking and running 140.6 miles in less than nine hours never ceased to amaze me. The mantra surrounding the Ironman was best... MORE

Go west or north and have fun -- just be weather smart
December 12, 2007 — Horace Greeley is usually credited with saying "Go west young man," but the actual quote was, "Go west young man and grow up with the country." This was also the title of an article written by John B. L. Soule in the Terre Haute Express originally published in 1851. This has often been misquoted and I am going to do that now: Go west young man or... MORE

Reflections on Leadership
December 5, 2007 — In light of the impending retirement of our First Sergeant, Master Sgt. Brent Freeman, and his tremendous career and character, I asked him to share his thoughts for the Airlift Dispatch. As my time in the Air Force comes to a close, I have thought a lot about my military experiences and the leadership qualities I have acquired throughout my... MORE

Sincerity is key during the holiday season, all year
December 5, 2007 — "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!" You can probably bet you will hear this countless times during the next month. These are the words that seem to go hand-in-hand with the month of December. There are the squadron Christmas parties, the office gift exchanges and the other social get-togethers that are usually always going on during this time of... MORE

Command Chief's Corner
December 5, 2007 — Team Charleston, this week we held an Additional-Duty First Sergeant Symposium for 23 enthusiastic master sergeants and master sergeant selects. These senior NCOs stepped up to join a select group of professionals who care for and champion the best interests of our enlisted force. With deployments and manning shortages, we depend heavily on these... MORE

Commander's Comments
December 5, 2007 — Team Charleston, we have had a safe holiday season so far, and I thank you all for keeping safety a top priority for yourselves and your families. However, don't let down your guard ... the holiday season is just getting into full swing. If you plan to go out and drink alcoholic beverages during the holidays, please ensure that you have a... MORE

Learn and develop leadership style
November 28, 2007 — "He's a natural-born leader." "Leaders are born, not made!" "She's very charismatic; she'll make a great leader!" We've all heard these adages before and may even believe they are true. Despite what we hear from society, I believe all of us can be leaders with the right mentoring. You might be telling yourself, "I'm an introvert and don't do well... MORE

Building communities, improving security
November 28, 2007 — The Department of Defense has many tools it uses in furthering its antiterrorism programs. Some have catchy titles such as the "Tis-Wig" or Technical Systems Working Group ... others sound grander like the Force Protection Corporate Structure. There are dozens of councils, boards and working groups in Air Mobility Command that seek to guide and... MORE

Command Chief's Corner
November 28, 2007 — Team Charleston, another Thanksgiving has passed and if you are like me, you had too much turkey, too much sports on television and too much shopping on "Black Friday." These are all typical Thanksgiving holiday activities most of us know well. The one thing that makes these so special is that they are best enjoyed when shared with our family and... MORE