9 Sep 2010

We remember by staying vigilant

As we approach the 9th anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, it is important for all Airmen to remember the vital role we play in ensuring the liberty and security of the United States of America and our allies. Terrorist attacks against Americans didn't start on Sept. 11, 2001. They have been with us for decades. And unfortunately, history

2 Sep 2010

Where’s the heat?

Fall is here! There is a chill in the air and the leaves are turning color. So where is the heat? Before answering that question, let's provide some background. Most of the buildings in the Kaiserslautern Military Community, including housing, are connected to central hot water heating plants. These plants produce hot water and distribute it to our

18 Aug 2010

It's all about attitude

Deployments and operations in hazardous environments are a way of life in today's busy Air Force. Every week 700 to 1,000 Team Ramstein Airmen are deployed into the combat or hazardous global environment. For this very reason, we continue to test our Airmen to ensure we're ready. Although the true test we are preparing for is a real world crisis,

9 Aug 2010

Good, bad news in early USAFE fitness returns

After a month of testing under the new USAF Fitness Tables, there is both bad news and good news in U.S. Air Forces in Europe. The bad news is that in more than 2,000 tests administered in the month of July, our failure rate is approximately 23 percent. The good news is that a significant number of Airmen failing the test are falling short in areas

21 Jul 2010

Airman's Compliance Learned as a Farm Boy

When I lived on the farm growing up, I was allowed to operate all the equipment except the super expensive combine, which harvested the grain. My family taught me all the rules for servicing the tractors, and how to do such things as disking and planting. Though I didn't call it this at the time, each field operation had its own "TTPs" (tactics,

15 Jul 2010

Thanks for a job well done

Warriors and Wingmen! I can never say thank you enough to each and every Airman at Team Ramstein for their contributions to our Wing and the incredible feats we accomplish every day.Feats such as being USAFE's only airlift, airdrop and aeromedical evacuation operations flying the C-20H, C-21, C-37, C-40B and C-130J aircraft, as well as providing

8 Jul 2010

Ramstein Honor Guard needs a few good Airmen

Every day I am impressed by the hard work and dedication shown by the fine Airmen of Team Ramstein. We all find ways to give back to our community, but one service we often take for granted is that of our honor guard. We are privileged at every change of command, graduation, retirement and retreat ceremony to have them serve as "guardians of the

17 Jun 2010

Well done Col. Bill Rupp

This week Col. Bill Rupp relinquished command of the 86th Maintenance Group to Col. Scott Fike. I'd like to say a special thanks to Colonel Rupp by highlighting the great work he and the men and women of the 86th MXG have accomplished these past two years. Bill and his impressive team of 750 Airmen have maintained a total of 27 C-130s, C-21s,

14 Jun 2010

Nutrition: Where and how

If you have ever owned a truck, you have likely had dozens of friends ask you to tow their junk around town. A physical therapist is constantly getting questions about aches and pains in and out of the clinic. When people find out I am a dietitian, they often ask "okay then, how should I eat?" My response, "well, what do you want to accomplish by

3 Jun 2010

Mentorship: Our unwritten core responsibility

The Air Force grows its military leaders from within. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz started out as a lieutenant, and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy as an airman. None of our leaders are hired directly from the corporate world into their current positions. Thus, all airmen need to embrace that mentoring other airmen is