3 Feb 2018

Two stories, one path lead chaplains to RAF Mildenhall

RAF MILDENHALL, England - Whether it was luck, coincidence or pure fate, two U.S. Air Force Chaplains have been following along the same path unknowingly to meet again years later at the RAF Mildenhall base chapel. Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Ronald Ragon and Chaplain (Capt.) Joseph Wright, 100th Air Refueling Wing chaplains, have shared not only two of the same bases throughout their career, they also shared the same seminary school and a high school that shares similar values to the branch they serve.

10 Sep 2016

Reflection, reality: 352nd SOSS chief shares 9/11 memories

On Sept. 11, 2001, 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners and flew them into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and the Pennsylvania countryside, resulting in the loss of 3,056 lives. Back then, Chief Master Sgt. Dustin Hall, 352nd Special Operations Support Squadron chief enlisted manager, was a staff sergeant in the 1st Airborne Communication and Control Squadron, based at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. He was an airborne secure voice operator.

5 Mar 2015

Commentary: Pursuing dreams to fly, fight and win

Have you ever been told you didn't have what it takes while pursuing a goal? Did you believe it?I did. My final year in college, the Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment commander met with each senior to discuss our Air Force future. When asked what I hoped to do, like most of my peers I responded, "I want to be a pilot."I'll never forget the

22 Sep 2014

COMMENTARY: Clear is the color of leadership

Be transparent. Define a clear direction to mission accomplishment and be dedicated to assigned personnel.These traits are essential to a leader's success.The approach and personal leadership traits you choose to implement culminate in a unique style of leadership that will set the tone and ultimately determine your organization's successes - or

17 Sep 2014

COMMENTARY: Lessons from building partnerships

I've often joked that I went to Iraq to fly something more modern than a 50-year-old airplane, that aircraft being the mighty combat Cessna used for Iraqi pilot training.The reality, however, was that I was blessed to work with a nation for a year to help re-ignite its air force following Operation Iraqi Freedom. For that portion of my career, my

9 Sep 2014

COMMENTARY: 'Fit to Fight:' It's more than PT

To some, "Fit to Fight" may mean passing the Air Force Fitness Assessment every six months to a year, but I believe it's much more than that.Physical training is a part of the term "Fit to Fight," and as someone who loves to work out, it's a big part for me. I work out at least five times a week, training not only for my physical test but also for

3 Jun 2014

COMMENTARY: Remembering D-Day

D-Day. The name alone humbles us as we remember the significance of what happened on June 6, 1944. In honor of the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Normandy invasion, let us pause for a moment and reflect on the words Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force commander, shared with his Service members just

27 May 2014

COMMENTARY: Honor your past, live for right now, look to your future

As we enter the familiar warmth of the impending summer, another spring is behind us. We look forward to planning family trips and warming the barbecue coals with a cold refreshment and good company. Memorial Day weekend doesn't just mark the beginning of the 101 Critical Days of Summer, it's also a time to reflect on the many men and women who

11 Apr 2014

COMMENTARY: Who's counting?

Tax day - It's the day in the middle of April many Americans dread. Every military member and federal employee counts on Americans to make honest contributions to our nation's financial coffers and every American is uniquely dependent upon the security only the federal government can provide. On a grand scale, our country is counting on us, but

8 Apr 2014

COMMENTARY: How do you build NCO credibility?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines credibility as the quality or power to inspire belief...I define credibility as your key to being a successful supervisor. If you have credibility with your Airmen, they will follow you. They will follow you because they will respect you. They will respect you because they will know you as a trustworthy and