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  • What's your story?

    I remember the phone call three years ago like it happened an hour ago. My sister called to tell me our dad had died unexpectedly in his sleep. Among the many emotions I encountered shortly thereafter, I distinctly remember reflecting on my dad's Air Force service as I watched his flag being folded

  • Don't just show up

    As I exit the ranks of our active duty military, I want to encourage each of you to run your race with precision, dedication and unbridled passion. The bottom line is that life is not a dry run and you only get one chance to have a lasting impact. Our nation demands that each one of you who serve in

  • Preparing for life's curve balls

    When I was younger, we played basketball on the playground quite a bit. If we showed up unprepared and left our "A" game at home, we would get "schooled." Being "schooled" is another way of saying you were utterly defeated. To avoid being "schooled" meant hours of shooting around, practicing,

  • Air Force leaders issue Memorial Day message

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz send the following Memorial Day message to the Airmen of the U.S. Air Force and their families:On May 30, 1868, the first official Memorial Day observance was held at Arlington National Cemetery to honor over

  • Honoring our heroes

    In the National Capital Region, you do not have to look far to find monuments honoring our heroic Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who have paid the ultimate price in defense of our great Nation.This weekend, Americans will visit the memorials and cemeteries in Washington D.C.

  • The Hidden Pain Among Us

    In this day and age, young Airmen are being asked to do much more than technical school trained them for. Years of combat operations, stress and pain have become the new normal. Airmen and combat operations, two words usually reserved for Air Force pilots, are now a daily occurrence for all career

  • Critical Days of Summer 2012: Safety is personal

    This year the Air Force has designated the time period of May 25 - Sept. 4 as the Air Force Safety Center's Critical Days of Summer safety campaign. The Air Force's vision this year is to ensure all of our Airmen have zero preventable fatal mishaps and an injury-free summer. The objective of the Air

  • COMMENTARY: Forrest Gump and the four pillars of resiliency

    The first time I read about resiliency and its four pillars - physical, social, spiritual and mental wellness - the movie Forrest Gump came to mind. Forrest Gump is a simple man who while sitting on a park bench tells strangers about his mother's catch phrases and his exploits throughout his years.

  • PORTRAITS OF CAPITAL AIRMEN: Remembering Arlington's Airmen

    My Name is Christopher Ruano. I am a staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. I work for the Air Force District of Washington as a still photographer.I am the storyteller of the Air Force's mission at Arlington National Cemetery.Not many Americans have the chance to see, and not many

  • PORTRAITS OF CAPITAL AIRMEN: Wounded Warrior's Return

    My name is Airman 1st Class Cortnee Simmers, United States Air Force. I work at the 79th Medical Wing - one of only two medical wings in the USAF. I am a medic in the Aero-Medical Staging Facility on Joint Base Andrews, Md., in the Air Force District of Washington. The ASF is the first checkpoint on