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  • Reflections of 9/11

    Ten years ago, on September 11, I was in my 6th grade math class. On that day, our class was interrupted by a teacher when she knocked on the door and whispered in my teacher's ear. We put away our work as they brought other classes into our classroom and turned the television on the news. The

  • One historian's perspective

    Thirty years ago, when I was in graduate school, if anyone had told me at some point in my career I would be writing history in Afghanistan, my response would have simply: "You're crazy." Now, here I am -- in Afghanistan; not once, but for my second time (plus one deployment to Iraq), surrounded by

  • 9/11 remembered

    As September 11th approaches, I find myself once again in Afghanistan - this time for a year. This mission is different from the last. Instead of supporting missions to "seek out and destroy the enemy", I am here to train members of the Afghan air force on how to do my job, Aircrew Flight Equipment.

  • Patrolling with pride

    A few days ago, I returned from my second trip to Shindand Air Base in Western Afghanistan. Shindand is home to the 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group which conducts the Afghan air force advising mission for the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing in Kabul. Shindand's aim is to be the "crown Jewel" of

  • Lest we forget

    We all are guilty of doing it and some are guilty of doing it on a regular basis. We forget. I saw it yesterday during the warning of an incoming direct fire attack. Some of our troops forgot to heed the warning to take cover. And how many of us during this deployment have forgotten a birthday or a

  • One small step

    Last week, for reasons I can't remember, 2nd Lt. Fatama Abteen and I had a discussion about space.This was hardly an in-depth conversation but a meaningful one nonetheless with the topic of conversation focusing on the endless possibilities that exist for her, her country and her future.This

  • It's your name on the mailbox

    To borrow a quote from Chief Master Sgt. Robert D. Gaylor, the fifth chief master sergeant of the Air Force, "it's my name on the mailbox."If you think about that for a minute, you'll realize it's not only your name, but it's also your squadron's or unit's name as well as your commander's name on

  • Decisions Decisions

    For some people, the first day on a job is worse than I-95 traffic on a Friday afternoon. For others, the first day is an opportunity to prove yourself in a new environment, demonstrate initiative and prove your worth to new co-workers and staff.How do you think Ben Sliney did on his first day on

  • Focus, professionalism and FINISH STRONG to the end!

    Hello fellow enlisted and officer airmen! I'm Master Sgt. Wes Hudgins. I'm here from hot/sunny Arizona and my home station unit is the Arizona Air National Guard's 161st Air Refueling Wing located in Phoenix, Ariz. Currently I'm the First Sergeant with the 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron on