An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Commentary Search

  • When property is lost or damaged, consider filing claims

    It's been said that into every life, a little rain must fall. That statement rings true in the Kandahar region: Our "little" rain here averages less than 7 inches per year. The problem is that most of the rain falls in just a short time during the winter months. The rapid accumulation of rainfall,

  • Embrace opportunities, turn them into moments of greatness

    I am beginning my third deployment in eight years as I enter this six-month tour at Kanddahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Like many of you, I have often heard the mantra during my previous deployments, "don't count the days, make the days count." However, how are we able to do this when we get caught up

  • Achieve balance in life to be succesful

    A lot of people ask me what it takes to be a success in the Air Force. It's such a tough question to answer because I truly believe there are so many different measures of success. Only you can define your own success. What I do know though, is that pretty much all the people I think of as

  • Air Base transitions a vital link to partner capacity

    A new emphasis came to Iraq with the start of Operation New Dawn Sept. 1, 2010. As Army Gen. Lloyd Austin III, United States Forces - Iraq commanding general, stated in his Operational Guidance memorandum of Oct. 4, 2010, "Our role is to advise, train, assist and equip [Iraqi Security Forces] so

  • Iraqi pilot training

    The Iraqi Train and Advise Mission-Air Force is a diverse one, with literally hundreds of U.S. Airmen imparting their experience, knowledge and core values to our host nation partners at scores of locations across Iraq every day in virtually every Air Force core discipline. One of these disciplines,

  • Vow to speak positive to yourself and others

    Immediately upon arriving at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, I realized this is a place that can make or break you -- your attitude will determine your latitude. I made a vow, shortly after arriving at KAF, to not complain to anyone about anything, unless the person I am complaining to has the

  • Dress and appearance in AOR about muscle memory, force protection, promises

    As I come in contact with Airmen while traveling around the area of responsibility, I am repeatedly asked the following question, "Chief, why are we so worried about dress and appearance standards in the AOR?"My standard reply is, "It's all about muscle memory, force protection, leadership and

  • God doesn't recycle

    It makes me feel good when I get to throw an empty water bottle in the recycle bin. It's an experience that happens numerous times a day here at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, and it reminds me that my trash will be reused in some miraculous way. I'm not sure exactly how recycling works, but it

  • Six months wasted? No, not really

    I'm young and I have a family; I should be at home with them. Instead, I'm on a six-month deployment to Afghanistan. There's not much farther I can get from them than 8,000 miles. I missed my sister's birthday, Labor Day picnics, seeing my little girl dressed up like a princess for Halloween,

  • Stay focused, stay motivated, finish strong

    Christmas is upon us, which means the end of the year is just around the corner. As 2010 comes to an end, so do many of our tours here in Afghanistan and no matter how bad you want to stay or regardless of the number of times you go to Personnel Support for Contingency Operations with extension