Commentaries

Commander's Commentary
July 9, 2009 — This week was a demanding week for Team Charleston. In these weeks we need courage, and Capt. Zach Hall, one of my execs, reminded me of the phrase and story "Of Courage Undaunted..." Thomas Jefferson wrote these words describing Captain Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Jefferson's words would elaborate on the character and... MORE

Finding success in military marriages
July 8, 2009 — Success in any military marriage doesn't come from only finding the right person, but in learning to love the person you found. As the deployment rates continue to climb, marriages and family coping skills decline. An example of this can be found in a story told of one Airman (Paul) who just returned from war. After being ignored by his wife, Liz,... MORE

Will you be ready?
July 7, 2009 — As military members we understand our greater risk of something happening to us while deployed. Throughout our careers, we hear numerous briefings on the importance of powers of attorney and wills. The Air Force provides this information to Airmen to help us organize and prepare for our families' future should we suddenly pass. So, the question I... MORE

Who’s your wingman?
June 24, 2009 — When was the last time you were in need and you literally had to reach beyond your own capabilities to someone who could help you out? Was it your supervisor, your spouse, a friend or neighbor, maybe even your wingman? What was the occasion? Did you have a flat tire, run out of gas or did something break around the house? What about the... MORE

Remembering why we serve
June 17, 2009 — In the summer of 2006, while assigned to the U.S. Air Force Academy, I met a young man who reinforced the reason why I serve. I was about to enter an elevator when he and his mother, an instructor at the academy, walked in to ascend to the upper floors of the academic building. The mother introduced me to her son and I could already size him up as... MORE

Standards, safety, support and success
June 17, 2009 — Opportunities to exercise the art of leadership are abundant abound in the Air Force. Whether it's leading a small team of professionals to accomplish a single task or leading an entire service to organize, train and equip the world's most powerful Air Force, chances are you will be called upon many times during your career to lead. When the call... MORE

Get to know your Air Force Family
June 17, 2009 — If you are like most people, you're enjoying the warm weather and spending a lot of time with your family and friends. Most will be planning family vacations or trips, attending family reunions or other events. Of course there are also traditional cookouts, days at the beach or on the water at the lake. What's really great about this time of year... MORE

Command Chief’s Corner
June 17, 2009 — Team Charleston, Lately, our senior leaders have been using the term "all in" when referring to many of the activities our service is involved in. Both Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz have said the Air Force is "all in" and will continue to support the joint and coalition effort to win the... MORE

Commander's Commentary
June 10, 2009 — As I stood at the starting line of last Friday's Fitness Challenge 5K and saw the hundreds of young Airmen ready to run, I reflected on how far our fitness program has come. I vividly remember myself and my fellow lieutenants having to do six laps around a track in 12 minutes, the standard "way back then." Most of us normally made the required... MORE

Col. John Wood visits 437th Maintenance Squadron

Continuity of care: quality and efficiency
June 8, 2009 — I recently experienced a minor hidden leak in my car which allowed rain water to seep in. I took the car to the dealer and they couldn't find the problem. When I took it back a second and third time after they supposedly "fixed" it each time, I had to explain my concerns again to a different service agent; I was exasperated. On the fourth visit,... MORE