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  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Leadership is not convenient: Part II

    Throughout my military career I have been mentored by supervisors and senior leaders who've truly inspired me. I once had a chief tell me, "Leadership is not about controlling people, it's about caring for your subordinates and being a useful resource to them. If you take care of your troops, they

  • Leadership is not convenient: Part I

    Being a leader in today's Air Force is not an easy task. The multi-talented requirements have taken a new meaning due to high operations tempo, longer deployments and manning cuts. We are still committed to doing the same job we did 10 years ago with half the personnel. Programs like AFSO 21 and

  • Equipment is the Airman’s greatest edge

    Though people are the Air Force's greatest asset, even the most dedicated and ready Airmen cannot accomplish the mission unless properly equipped. Our Air Force is very successful, in part, because we enable our units with the best technology available. Unfortunately, not all Airmen appreciate this

  • Expanded digital access requires same common sense

    Social networking sites are open to Air Force servicemembers and employees in the workplace. This change to policy has raised many questions about using social media officially and personally in the workplace.But when you get right down to it, little has changed. The rules established for Internet

  • Accountability: consistency is key

    One of the toughest challenges facing leaders in today's Air Force is accountability. When to hold someone accountable and to what degree are questions we find difficult to answer under the best of circumstances, sometimes traumatic in the extreme.In those units where leaders exercise too strict

  • Airmen keep the 86th Airlift Wing 'flying'

    The 86th Airlift Wing will soon welcome its fourteenth and final C-130J. The transition from the venerable E-model to the new Super Hercules has been nothing short of phenomenal. Those who fly, maintain, and support this tactical airlift capability didn't stand down, take an operational pause, or