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  • Know your fellow Airman; It could save a life

    As a commander, one of my greatest concerns, and something that can keep me up at night, is the safety and well-being of our Airmen. It is tragic enough to lose an Airman to an accident or to combat, but when one takes his or her own life, the survivors are left wondering, "Could we have prevented

  • Leadership lessons from unlikely sources

    While there may be some natural born leaders out there, I don't think I'm one of them. I continuously strive to improve my leadership skills, gleaning leadership tips from wherever I can find them. Some come from odd sources, but they are still valuable. Below are a few lessons in leadership from

  • No ARIs…no excuses…drink responsibly

    Alcohol-related incidents are a serious issue for our Airmen, families and local community. ARIs directly affect our ability to conduct our military mission, disrupt unit manning and productivity, and create additional burdens on unit leadership. Airmen can and must make responsible choices

  • Level 10 Leadership

    What does it take to be a good leader? How about a great leader? Over my 20+ year military career, I've worked for many GOOD leaders and I've also been fortunate to work for a couple GREAT leaders. They all got the job done, but the truly GREAT leaders inspired those around them to achieve more than

  • The Art of Followership

    Numerous essays have been written on leadership, including many featured in this corner of the KA over the years. Much less, however, is written about followership. I firmly believe good followership to be just as important as good leadership. We are all leaders at one level or another, and we are

  • Small squadrons deliver

    Did you ever wonder what the difference was between an aircraft maintenance squadron, a maintenance squadron and a maintenance operations squadron?Well if you had, today is your lucky day. In the simplest terms, an aircraft maintenance squadron readies and launches Ramstein's fleet of C-130J Super

  • 86th VRS offers winter safety tips

    The recent dip in temperatures is a good indication that snow and ice is on its way. Will you be ready? Some may not know the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron is charged with maintaining all of the installation's snow and deicing fleet; a unique mission essential to ensuring the roads and runway on

  • What's your legacy?

    My husband and I were at dinner a few weeks ago and we were discussing my retirement. He asked me, "What's your legacy?" As I get ready to retire after 30 years in the Air Force, I started reflecting. Dictionary.com defines legacy as "anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or

  • A Salute To Veterans

    Throughout history America and our allies have fought, not for land or conquest, but for principles of liberty, equality and human dignity. Our freedom has been bought with a price, and we stand on the shoulders of giants--our veterans. Today our country and its allies depend on the commitment of

  • Heroes among us

    Vignette #1A shell burst inside the B-17, Flying Fortress cabin, peppering Capt. Jay Zeamer with hot shrapnel breaking his leg. Despite the injuries and blood loss, Capt. Zeamer remained at the controls through another 40 minutes of air battle until the fuel starved Zeroes returned to base. Only