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  • Senior Airman Dennis Sloan, 628th Air Base Wing Public Affairs photojournalist, walks on the Joint Base Charleston flightline in search of a photo May 5, 2013. A victim of sexual assault, Sloan says his passion for photography "keeps (him) breathing" and offers solace from his otherwise painful memories. (U.S. Air Force photo/ SrA George Goslin)

    Finding light through darkness

    Keeping a secret that defines you, that has shaped your life for nearly three years now and is sure to shape the rest, a secret that you go to sleep with every night and wake to every morning is sometimes hard to keep trapped inside.I could probably go my entire life without revealing the sad truth that I was raped, but to stay silent is to allow
  • (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by 1st Lt. David Liapis and Tech. Sgt. Dallas Edwards/Released)

    Zero

    33 - the number of Airmen who have taken their own lives as of April 12, this year. 66 - the number of Air Force moms and dads who have to bear the grief of losing their son or daughter to an untimely and preventable death this year. I have children of my own, and I can't even bear to think about what it would feel like to lose one of them. I can
  • A citrus tree drops some of its remaining fruit outside the Incirlik Club Complex, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, April 10, 2014. Citrus is one type of tree available for purchase and planting during the Arbor Day celebration scheduled to be held here April 26. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. David Liapis/Released)

    Trees please

    Strong winds blew through the Adana area at speeds of nearly 60 mph near the end of last month, knocking down various species of trees all over base. While there's no way to quickly replace the mature trees that were lost, base residents do have an opportunity to undo the damage from the storm and leave a legacy for the next generation.It just so
  • Feeling a bit deflated? Ask you supervisor or contact the Community Support Coordinator at your base for more information on building and maintaining your physical, mental, social and spiritual fitness. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Senior Airman Brandon Sabin/Released)

    I love inflation!

    I'm a ball. Yeah, you heard me right. I didn't say I'm having a ball. That's what my momma did when she gave birth to me. I'm a sports ball - the "basket" kind to be more specific.We sports balls have it pretty rough. My cousins and I may have different functions, but we all, without exception, have to put up with an awful lot of abuse ... and I
  • Step Up, Step In

    Diverse Airmen strengthen Air Force's global presence

    A diverse force is our unique advantage to providing forward-based combat power for America.Diversity of cultures, beliefs and ideas are ever-present in our professional and personal lives. These differences among Airmen make us more effective.I read a January Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa article about an Airman who exemplifies
  • Senior Airman Chase Hedrick, 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs photojournalist, observes his reflection Feb. 3, 2013, at Incirlik Air Base Turkey. Airmen are Airmen whether in uniform or not, and should ensure their conduct always meets and exceeds the standards of the Air Force they represent. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Airman 1st Class Nicole Sikorski/Released)

    Always an Airman

    I am an Airman, but only from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and occasionally on the weekend. The rest of the time, I am just a person trying to have a good time. What I do during my off duty time doesn't have any bearing on my military career, nor should it. "Say what?!" you might ask. And, rightfully so. The truth is I don't believe
  • Col. Craig D. Wills is the commander of the 39th Air Base Wing at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. As commander, Colonel Wills is responsible for approximately 5,000 U.S. military, civilian and contractor personnel and the combat readiness of U.S. Air Force units at Incirlik and two geographically-separated units in Turkey.

    The equation for success

    You've probably heard the phrase, "Flexibility is the key to air power" more times than you'd like, and I just added one to the count. I'm here to tell you, as overused as it is, there's truth to it.As we prepare to receive a Staff Assistance Visit team that is coming to inspect our processes and competency, our ability to receive feedback and make
  • Bobbi Cervantez, 39th Medical Group exercise physiologist, inspects the running gait of one of her students from the running improvement program at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Oct. 9, 2012. Students in the running improvement trial came to the Incirlik Health and Wellness Center to have their running analyzed to help them improve and prevent injuries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Phelps/Released)

    'Daddy needs a new pair of shoes!'

    Running. There are few words in the English language that can evoke a wide range of emotions and carry so many meanings - "the refrigerator is running," "my nose is running," "you're running up the electric bill," " I love (or hate) running" and the list goes on.However, within the context of the Air Force, running generally refers to a
  • (U.S. Air Force graphic/ Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson)

    Redefining self - victim to survivor

    Editor's note: "The author of this commentary is being kept anonymous due to privacy concerns."Trust is a valuable asset in our Air Force. To me it is the cornerstone to our core values. Throughout our military education we are taught to trust our fellow Airmen. We build a foundation around that trust.Several years ago, my trust was taken away when
  • The New Year is the perfect time to start getting finances in order, whether getting out of debt or working toward savings. The Airman and Family Readiness Center offers many programs to assist people in achieving financial goals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Katie Gar Ward/Released) (serial numbers blurred for security)

    'Up-size' your emergency funds for the 'down-sized' military

    Airmen must be "fit focused and ready" for any contingency and this includes financial fitness and preparedness. Recent political crises and turmoil on Capitol Hill have highlighted the need for all Americans, particularly military and government workers, to make sure they have sufficient emergency funds. How many of us are financially fit and
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