Commentaries

Taking the 'Air Force family' to a new level
July 14, 2010 — "Someone's knocking at the door again! Is it really time to go to breakfast?" Those words crossed my mind many times, early in the morning as I woke to find the "Air Force Mafia" standing outside my room. I would quickly grab my cover and step outside into the hazy Afghanistan morning. It was almost a straight shot from our rooms to the dining... MORE

Diamond Tips
July 13, 2010 — Physical Fitness Profile ProceduresDid you know there are two types of profiles? One is the Air Force Form 469, Duty Limiting Condition Report, which covers the member's duty and mobility restrictions. The second is Air Force Form 422, Notification of Air Force Members Qualification Status, which outlines your fitness prescription. Follow these six... MORE

Who buys your supplies?
July 7, 2010 — Who is responsible for providing you with the supplies and services you need to carry out your day-to-day operations? Who makes sure you have these things when you need them? And who performs these tasks in complete anonymity? The answer is your organization's Government Purchase Card personnel. Yes, these individuals make a large impact on every... MORE

AFI 36-2618 The Key To Success
July 7, 2010 — In order to have a successful career, all one needs to do is to follow the guidelines in Air Force Instruction 36-2618. We all have a copy in our pockets or binders and expect our Airmen to carry one, but when was the last time a topic was discussed at role call or guardmount? I encourage each of us to actively discuss the topic pertaining to duty... MORE

Commander's Commentary
July 6, 2010 — Joint Base Charleston is the leading economic engine in the low country - employing 21,790 military, civilian and contractor personnel, encompassing 23,777 acres covering 37 square miles, including 16 miles of shoreline, 38 miles of rail and three miles of runway. With 54 aircraft, JB CHS is the largest concentration of C-17 airlifters in the... MORE

Staff Sgt. Johns Kingsley provides security for Afghan Provisional Reconstruction Team engineers while coordinating communications with adjacent units on objectives. The PRT currently has 54 projects worth a total of $75 million and has completed more projects than any other PRT supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Sergeant Kingsley is an NCOIC with the 628th Communications Squadron based out of Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

AMC commander thanks Airmen, urges safe holiday
June 30, 2010 — The Fourth of July is a day for all Americans to celebrate the freedoms that you as Air Mobility Command Airmen help provide.Independence Day carries a simple yet important message of freedom that continues to unite us in a call to service. It's the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices made every day by Airmen, whether active duty, guard, Reserve... MORE

Gen. Raymond E. Johns, Commander Air Mobility Command, speaks to the Airman of the 6th Air Mobility Wing and the 927th Air Refueling Wing during a "all call" at MacDill Air Force Base Jan. 07, 2010. Gen. Johns was visiting MacDill for the first time since taking over command of AMC on Nov. 20th of last year.
(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph L. Swafford Jr./Released)

Command Chief's Corner
June 29, 2010 — Earning a promotion to technical sergeant is a challenging and sometimes daunting undertaking for many Airmen. The recent E-6 promotion release brought joy to 92 Charleston Airmen and their families, but it was also disappointing for 408 other eligible staff sergeants. Sewing on technical sergeant stripes is rewarding in terms of increased... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Terrence Greene, 437th Airlift Wing command chief

Holding true to the responsibilities of professionalism
June 29, 2010 — When you're a member of the greatest military in history, professional image is important at all times. At work, it's simple to adhere to standards of conduct because the military presence is all around us, but what concerns me is how we conduct ourselves once we leave work and drive off the installation.Regrettably, I've had the misfortune of... MORE

Diamond Tips: Family Care Plans
June 28, 2010 — We all have a responsibility to ensure we are properly trained to do the mission, and it is equally as important to take care of our dependents.Air Force Instruction 36-2908, Family Care Plans, states service members are required to have a Family Care Plan established if the member is:· Married military to military with dependents· Single military... MORE

Reflections on the Fourth of July
June 28, 2010 — This great land of ours is fertilized by the blood of patriots. During the struggle for independence, nearly 9,000 of the colonist forces were killed. Among those 56 patriots who had pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor by signing the Declaration of Independence, at least nine paid that price with their life's blood.There is... MORE

Lt. Col. David Stroud, 437th Airlift Wing Commander's Action Group director