Commentary Search

  • Tragic events at Frankfurt remind us to stay vigilant

    Like the rest of you, Betty and I were deeply saddened by the senseless attack at Frankfurt International Airport that claimed the lives of two of our Airmen and left two others seriously wounded. Our hearts and prayers remain with all those affected by this tragic event. I've been touched by the

  • Situational awareness got me safely out of Egypt

    This January, I had the dubious distinction of being the only Airman from Incirlik Air Base to be traveling in Egypt when their revolution began. Due to the uniqueness of the situation, I have been asked to write on my experience. When initially planning my visit to Egypt with my parents for

  • The buck stops here

    "The Buck Stops Here!" are words made famous by our 33rd president Harry S. Truman, a Missourian farm boy who survived World War I and suffered several business failures, only to come back time after time. As President of the United States he shepherded many great world-changing events ... the end

  • Putting first things first

    Upon our arrival in June, my family and I received the warmest welcome ever, and we are blessed to be part of the Incirlik Family. The past two months have been fast and furious, and it's hard to believe the end of summer is near. As you wrap up work and prepare to celebrate Labor Day weekend, I

  • Prejudgment and perception management

    Have you ever been told that perception is reality and wondered why that is the case? In my experience, perception truly is reality for the member having the experience; however, factually, the perception may not be accurate. So, I challenge you to ask yourselves how to prevent false perceptions

  • Good, bad news in early USAFE fitness returns

    After a month of testing under the new USAF Fitness Tables, there is both bad news and good news in U.S. Air Forces in Europe. The bad news is that in more than 2,000 tests administered in the month of July, our failure rate is approximately 23 percent. The good news is that a significant number of

  • Good luck…and thanks

    When I found out I had the opportunity to write an article for the Incirlik web page, to say I was excited would be an understatement. What do I say? What do I convey to the people of Incirlik and the 39th Air Base Wing (yes, that's for you 425th and 717th). I mean not that I have any great pearls

  • Blue Beret History, what it means to me

    As a 19-year-old kid, I went through the trial and tribulations of what I wanted to do with my life. I decided to make a trip to the local Air Force recruiter to see what they had to offer. After speaking with him for a while, he popped in a VHS cassette (yes, it was a while ago) of the Security

  • Fit to fight

    Each of us form a piece of the big Air Force puzzle. Some of us are easy pieces with one or two straight edges that fit nicely on the sides. Others are complex with bulges and bumps all over the place that can't be determined where they fit until the picture becomes clearer.The fact is no matter

  • Celebrating Dependence Day, July 4, 2010

    Have a safe and enjoyable Dependence Day. What, you don't recognize the holiday? We celebrate it on the July fourth each year in honor of our forefathers who depended on their God, each other and the help of allies to gain their and our freedom as a nation. Oh, that's right! We normally call it