Commentaries

Airmen downrange doing a phenomenal job
January 11, 2010 — During the Thanksgiving holiday and first week in December, I traveled throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility and spent time with our Airmen downrange. Simply put, our Airmen are doing a phenomenal job across the CENTCOM area of responsibility. An example is the great work Airmen are performing as Air Advisors in Iraq and... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy receives a briefing from Airman 1st Class Marcus Taylor about his role in maintaining aircraft brakes, Nov. 30, 2009. Chief Roy is touring the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility, visiting with Airmen and addressing numerous issues affecting servicemembers who are deployed in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Robert Barney)

Commander’s Comments
January 7, 2010 — Happy New Year! Many people take this time to reflect on the previous year and look forward to the next year. From a wing commander's perspective it has been a thrill to watch all of you perform at such a high level. Although I am biased, this past year I have been fortunate to command the best wing in Air Mobility Command, while sharing ground... MORE

Col. John Wood and Chief Master Sgt. Mike Ivey congratulate Senior Airman Jamaal Avington for his outstanding achievements throughout 2009 as an Annual Award nominee at the 2009 Annual Awards Banquet held at the Charleston Club Jan. 6. Colonel Wood is the 437th Airlift Wing commander, Chief Ivey is the 437 AW command chief and Airman Avington is a force management journeyman assigned to the 437th Force Support Squadron

The cost of freedom, a high cost to bear
January 5, 2010 — The cost of freedom cannot and should not be measured in mere dollars, or even in millions or billions of dollars. Today's large military budgets are spent on equipment, buildings, airframes, maintenance, personnel and training. They are the items most commonly thought of when people consider the cost of the freedoms we enjoy. But these costs are... MORE

Make your New Year’s resolution count all year
January 5, 2010 — Air Force, family, fitness and education - these four pillars define many people's lives, and they also reflect many New Year's resolutions. What will you make of your resolution this year? I challenge you to make a difference by making it last longer than to the end of this month.Challenge yourself to rededicate yourself to the Air Force and your... MORE

Getting involved in professional organizations
January 5, 2010 — There are a variety of professional organizations in the Charleston AFB and local community worth giving our energy to as Airmen.Many of these professional organizations exist for the betterment of our own force, and what we put in is what we get out. Besides the opportunity to work toward common beneficial goals, they offer the unique opportunity... MORE

Patriotism, bah humbug?
December 23, 2009 — Lately, when it comes to patriotism, I have been a scrooge.Now, don't get me wrong ... I have a good foundation in respecting my fellow Airmen and the country I defend. It just hasn't been the top priority in my life until I recently compared it to the classic holiday tale written Charles Dickens, titled "A Christmas Carol."I'm a father, husband,... MORE

Commander’s Action Line
December 18, 2009 — Inquiry: Are there guidelines for vehicles entering the Dorchester Road main gate? There is a sign on Dorchester Road which states, "CAFB Contractors and Commercial Vehicles Entry at Rivers Gate via Aviation Avenue." When we attempted to enter the gate with our 21-foot boat and trailer to get gas, we were turned away and told we had to enter... MORE

Commander’s Comments
December 17, 2009 — This is the last article for 2009 and it is hard to believe another year has went by so quickly. First and foremost, I wish everyone a wonderful Holiday season filled with family and friends. But, I know family members are deployed and many of you are stationed far away from home. Although we are a nation at war, we have a base and a community that... MORE

Jackson White gets a candy cane while sitting on Santa's lap during the youth holiday party at the Youth Programs Center here Dec. 12, 2009. Charleston Air Force Base youths had the opportunity to play games, decorate cupcakes, scale a wall, sit on Santa's lap and enjoy arts and crafts during the annual holiday party. Jackson is the son of U.S. Air Force Maj. Tara White, 437th Force Support Squadron commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marie Brown)

Singing the “Blues” this Holiday Season?
December 16, 2009 — Tis the season to be jolly ... well, we hope. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Certainly we like to think of the holiday season as a time of joy and merriment, a time to be spent with family and friends and to focus on the things most important to us. If you are like me, there is a very specific focus on turkey and pumpkin pie. Whatever... MORE

Command Chief's Corner
December 15, 2009 — As we say goodbye to 2009, I look back at my first year as a member of Team Charleston with both happiness and sadness. I'm extremely proud of the accomplishments of our Airmen and of the awards our members and units have earned. Supporting two wars, keeping our fantastic base looking great, expertly maintaining C-17s used to defend our freedom and... MORE