HomeNewsCommentaries

Commentary Search

  • The Mighty First Weather Squadron

    Much to the surprise of most U.S. Air Force personnel assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, there is a team of highly-trained weather Airmen assigned to the Fort Lewis side of the installation with a very unique mission. These warfighters don’t support C-17 Globemaster III operations like most Airmen would expect, but instead, support a wide range of U.S. Army activities on both the installation and across the entire U.S. Indo-Pacific Command theater. This team, the 1st Weather Squadron, provides a wide range of meteorological expertise to the United States Army’s I Corps.

  • Tips and Tricks for Halloween Treats

    Halloween is right around the corner and excitement mounts as children and adults prepare to dress in their favorite costumes. Children walk from house to house in the cold, Alaskan weather in hopes of filling their bags full of sweet, sugary candy. While candy can be sweet and delicious, cavities at any age are not. There are some simple tricks to help children and adults prevent tooth decay during this time of year.

  • The foundations of leadership and followership

    Trust each other, provide feedback, show that you care. According to six Airmen, these are the most important aspects of teamwork. Throughout an Airman’s career they’re expected to grow both personally and professionally. The Air Force does a good job at pushing us toward that goal through professional military education, but some of the most valuable leadership lessons can, as I’ve learned from these six Airmen, only come from personal experience.
  • EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- The "Lady of the Lake" is the last WB-29 Superfortress left at Eielson AFB which was dropped from the Air Force inventory in 1955 because of a ground accident. The aircraft was taken to the pond it currently rests in and was used for open water extracation training until it became too dangerous. The aircraft was abandoned where it lays. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt Joshua Strang)

    The legend of the “Lady of the Lake”

    Since moving to Eielson in July 2013, I have heard numerous tales about the mysterious “Lady of the Lake.” I always assumed it was some ghost legend of a woman who drowned in a lake and haunts people who look for her, but boy was I wrong. Recently, I began to look into the real history of the Lady of the Lake, as I enjoy ghost tales and wanted to learn more. To my surprise, it had nothing to do with a woman at all. No, it is actually about a WB-29 Bomber aircraft that has been abandoned for ages in its watery final resting place.
  • Gregory Roach, a 354th Comptroller Squadron financial systems analyst, tells his story about moving to Alaska, March 16, 2018 at Eielson Air Force Base.

    An Indelible Impression

    A smile can tell you a lot about a person and it’s the first thing you’ll notice about Greg Roach. His is everlasting and always present, like the Alaskan summer sun. For almost a year now, I’ve been running into Greg around Amber Hall. Every time I see him our interaction always goes the same. He flashes his smile, nods his head and says, “How are you doing?” Even though our interactions are brief, I always find myself with a sense of renewed energy after exchanging pleasantries with him.

  • Airman learns value of service through Honor Guard

    It started with a flame; the fire burned yellow and the coals smoldered a hot red. I was sitting under the open North Dakota sky, camping on a beautiful weekend. All of a sudden, my pocket lit up.
  • As Airmen embrace the fitness culture and the benefits of exercise and healthy food choices, some have discovered nutritional supplements. And while the benefits of these products can be long lasting there is much left unknown to the consumer. No matter what choices you make to increase your health, remember to be safe and consult your physician. (U.S. Air Force Illustration/Staff Sgt. Miguel Lara III)

    Supplementing safely

    At six feet tall and weighing around 250 pounds I’m a bigger guy than most, so it makes sense that occasionally I get approached with questions. One of the most common questions I get is, “Are you on steroids?” My answer to that is always no. The follow-up question is usually, “What do you take?”
  • Breaking habits, embracing change: An Airman's journey over time

    Breaking habits, embracing change: An Airman's journey over time

    I don’t like change. I am a creature of habit; I find comfort in the familiar and in establishing routine. For most of my life, I felt like I struggled to make connections with new people and it took a long time for me to grow comfortable in new environments; so I did my best to avoid it. This continued until the day I joined the Air Force.
  • 354th Security Forces Squadron Airmen learned the proper way to administer a Field Sobriety Test; which consists of three parts, each designed to assess motor functions, during an exercise on July 13, 2017, at Eielson Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Airman Eric M. Fisher)

    A sobering truth

    On Thursday, July 13, 2017, I had the opportunity of being part of a training which involved a small group of people being sobriety tested by 354th Security Forces Squadron members so they could practice conducting Field Sobriety Tests. During this controlled training, six airmen, including myself, were given varying amounts of alcohol based on our weight to reach the legal Blood Alcohol Content limits for driving in the state of Alaska, which is .08.
  • The Mental Health clinic offers many services to Airmen who are struggling. Don’t let a stigma keep you from seeking help. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Senior Airman Cassie Whitman)

    Busting the mental health myths

    A few months ago, I was diagnosed with a chronic pain disorder called fibromyalgia. Not only does it affect my body, but it can also affect my mental health state. When my doctor referred me to mental health, I was slightly concerned. Thoughts ran through my head of the common myths associated with going to the dreaded “Mental Health Clinic.”
RSS