Commentaries

Commander's Commentary
July 23, 2009 — "This information is protected by the privacy act of 1974..." How many times have you seen this statement stamped or printed on an official document? We have all heard of or personally experienced phishing schemes, which include internet scams and fraudulent e-mails asking for sensitive personal information. It seems we are being constantly... MORE

Col. Donald Shaffer is the vice commander for the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston AFB. The wing provides America sustained combat delivery via 24-hour airland, airdrop, aeromedical evacuation and Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed special operations missions in support of global combat operations, contingencies, and humanitarian relief efforts.

Maintaining standards: a two-sided coin
July 22, 2009 — Have you ever forgotten your hat in the car or at home only to realize it as you made the incredibly long trek from the fitness center door to your car? Did you jog or walk quickly knowing you were out of uniform? Or did you saunter along, thinking "so what, I forgot my hat - big deal." Is it a big deal? Maybe you were the person who saw the "mad... MORE

4 golden rules of leadership
July 22, 2009 — Ask any leader and I'm sure they have a leadership book or philosophy which has impacted who they are as a leader. I've read a lot of different books throughout my career, but while there are many principles or "rules" I think help make an effective leader, these four are some of the most common and most important. They are gleaned from a book... MORE

The more you read, the more places you'll go
July 22, 2009 — When I was asked to write a commentary for the Airlift Dispatch I was not quite sure what direction to take. I could talk about the 1st Combat Camera Squadron's mission, always an interesting subject, but there's not really enough room here to do it justice. Or, I could write about the importance of communicating with your co-workers, the public... MORE

Lt. Col. Aaron Burgstein, 1st Combat Camera Squadron commander

Commander's Action Line
July 15, 2009 — Comment: Hello, I am a retiree and I noticed that the word is not getting out regarding movies at the base theater. There are a lot of movies that are scheduled to be shown and a lot are coming out this summer, mostly for the kids that are out of school. The base paper needs to do a better job in terms of getting the word out on this. It does not... MORE

Investing life to build true economic stimulus
July 15, 2009 — "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -- Matthew 6:19-22 Team Charleston, how... MORE

Command Chief’s Corner
July 14, 2009 — Everyone should be familiar with the phrase "Back to Basics," as a way to describe the Air Force's approach to accomplishing our mission and additionally, how we should conduct all of our activities as Airmen. Back to basics means following technical orders, checklists, instructions and applicable guidance all of the time, every time. It means... MORE

NCOs: Be the example
July 13, 2009 — I remember my first duty section as an airman basic at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. We had 17 buck sergeants in the shop. These gentlemen were the heart and soul of the unit and I admired them for their wisdom and work ethic. They could answer all my questions and would take me out and show me how to perform any task. They inspired me to want to come... MORE

The more things change, the more they stay the same
July 10, 2009 — Many things have changed since I joined the Air Force in 1991. I have witnessed the rank of buck sergeant become obsolete, the addition of a "roof" for the grade of master sergeant and a dramatic increase in promotion rates, just to name a few. As Air Force members, we adopt changes to meet the mission, but through it all, one thing has remained... MORE

Commander's Action Line
July 9, 2009 — Comment:Hello, my name is Lynn Flesher, I am a retiree. I noticed that the word is not getting out regarding movies at the base theater. There are a lot of movies that are scheduled to be shown and a lot are coming out this summer, mostly for the kids that are out of school. The base paper needs to do a better job in terms of getting the word out... MORE