Commentaries

Happy 70th Birthday Air Force!
September 18, 2017 — This year, we are celebrating the 70th birthday of our mighty United States Air Force. While 70 may seem like a small number compared to other services, our history, heritage and legacy run deep. There is plenty to be proud of, and it is a great time to be an Airman. With rapidly advancing technologies in the air domain and proven success in... MORE

A day in the life of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James
August 29, 2017 — Note: The JAMES is a 418 ft. National Security Cutter homeported in Charleston, S.C. It is the fifth NSC and most sophisticated cutter in the fleet. The story below is told from the BMC’s perspective. SOMEWHERE IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN - It is 11 pm and a Maritime Patrol Aircraft reports a possible drug smuggling “go-fast” boat headed north... MORE

Honored to join the 437th AW
August 15, 2017 — On June 15, 2017 Col. Jimmy Canlas, 437th Airlift Wing commander, selected me as your Command Chief. This leadership opportunity is an amazing privilege I will not take lightly. I commit to investing in the 2,300 Airmen, officers and civilians serving Air Mobility Command’s premier airlift wing. I am wicked excited to join a team with a... MORE

The true meaning of Wingman, Shipmate
August 11, 2017 — Given that the Air Force and Navy birthdays occur in September and October, respectively, it is appropriate to think on what it means to be a true Wingman and Shipmate in today’s force. Today the United States military force is the most powerful force in history with a presence felt on the sea, on the land and in the air all around the world. Our... MORE

Honored to be in Charleston
August 3, 2017 — If asked many years ago what my dream job would be at this time in my career, being a commander at Joint Base Charleston would be on the top of the list. My operational career started here at Joint Base Charleston (then Charleston Air Force Base) back in January 1999. I met my wife during that assignment and we always hoped for a return... MORE

Mentoring to mold the New Navy
July 27, 2017 — Training Sailors is the primary mission of the Navy Nuclear Propulsion Training Unit here but mentorship is also paramount. In the fleet we often hear the phrase, “train your relief.” Therefore, a primary goal of mine is to teach young Sailors the fundamentals of the Nuclear Navy as well as how to be an outstanding Sailor. ... MORE

Silent victims of domestic violence
July 12, 2017 — June was Men’s Health Month and a perfect time to highlight an important and sometimes overlooked issue. There is a general assumption that women are always the victims in an abusive relationship. Even in our progressive society, oftentimes we continue to marginalize, isolate and disbelieve the existence of domestic violence against men. The... MORE

628th ABW historian documents contingency operations
July 12, 2017 — According to Air Force Instruction 84-102, Historical Operations in Contingencies and War, “The primary mission of all Air Force unit historians is the production of periodic histories. In the context of this AFI, these histories cover “contingency” activity and form the foundation of all subsequent efforts to document the Air Force’s mission... MORE

Fix your own car
June 16, 2017 — Preparing your automobile for summertime road trips doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think. We all like saving money and driving a reliable car. Often these circumstances don’t coincide. Luckily, Joint Base Charleston has an answer for this dilemma. Located on the JB Charleston-Weapon Station, just off Redbank Road, is the Auto Skills Center... MORE

Joint Base Charleston is a special place
June 14, 2017 — Joint Base Charleston is a special place for a host of reasons. With the myriad of strategic logistics, airlift, nuclear power training, development, sustainment and support missions, every military operation in the world is touched by those who serve here. In that way, it truly is “The Launch Point for the Nation’s Resolve”. The missions here... MORE