Air Force Link Commentaries

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: An Airman’s journey of strength, support, survival

Press Operations — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 17:38:00 GMT

Lt. Col. Jennifer Sayers tells the story of her fight against breast cancer.

Commentary: Leadership lessons from my deathbed

Lt. Col. Kera A. Rolsen — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 13:00:00 GMT

On August 15, 2022, I asked to relinquish command after only 15 months in the seat. My commander, having watched my health rapidly decline over the past few months, to include losing large chunks of my hair, agreed.

Breaking silence: Shattering the taboo of mental health

Capt. Nicholas Choy — Mon, 15 May 2023 16:42:00 GMT

As members of the Air Force community, it’s important that we prioritize our mental health and encourage others to do the same.

Air Force Memorial turns 16

Marcelyn Atwood, HQE — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 16:00:00 GMT

Honoring the service of the personnel of the United States Air Force and its heritage organizations, the U.S. Air Force Memorial turns 16.

A day in the life: CMSAF Bass visits Robins AFB

By Staff Sgt. Terrell McWilliams — Mon, 09 May 2022 18:00:45 GMT

Staff Sgt. Terrell McWilliams, 78th Comptroller Squadron Commander Support Staff noncommissioned officer in charge, shadowed Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass for a day while she visited Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.

A Culture of Modernization is a mindset, not a buzz phrase

Col. Gregory “GM” Kuzma — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 18:02:04 GMT

While our Air Force’s weapon systems and the way we fight have evolved through the years, our adversaries have continued to find ways to match our capabilities. The challenge of navigating government bureaucracy – with decades of institutional inertia – threatens our ability to innovate and modernize the Department of the Air Force across the enterprise; from weapon systems to business systems.

What is 'purpose?'

Senior Master Sgt. Elise Redziniak, First Sergeant — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 14:00:00 GMT

In a recent study, 57% of younger Americans said when developing their career priorities, the most important is to do work that is enjoyable and meaningful, as this is what keeps them most engaged.

The summer before 9/11

Yancy Mailes — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 14:26:07 GMT

The year 2001 represented change for the nation. In January, President George W. Bush took office and began selecting his cabinet. However, the controversy over the Florida election returns, and “hanging chads,” delayed the appointment of defense officials even more than in previous years.

Where does responsibility start?

Senior Airman Josh W. Strickland — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 12:00:00 GMT

The Air Force teaches us as Airmen three core values that are ingrained into our minds from the first “... I solemnly affirm …. So help me God” of our oath to this country: Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence In All We Do. These core values guide us and give us a foundation for leadership, decision-making and success; but (and there’s that pesky word again) what if you lack personal responsibility?

Raised on resiliency: How military parents shape their child’s experiences

Staff Sgt. Ryann Holzapfel — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 12:00:00 GMT

As a military child, I didn’t realize what I was facing wasn’t what other children my age were experiencing. Now, I am a brand-new mother and a dual military spouse. My husband, Brendan, and I grew up as military children in two very different ways, but both of us came to understand what it meant to be resilient.

Desert Storm veteran influences daughter’s call to service

Airman 1st Class Chloe Shanes — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 15:35:00 GMT

The 30th anniversary of Desert Storm was Jan. 17, 2021, and I have come to the quick realization that my biggest motivation for joining the military in the first place was my father, former Staff Sgt. Larry Shanes of the U.S. Marines.

Air Force Security Forces Center: A year in review

Brig. Gen. Roy W. Collins — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 16:33:07 GMT

2020 has been a fast-paced year for Defender Nation. Our Security Forces Enterprise navigated tough decisions on security and risk to maintain unblinking security for our installations at home and abroad. We enable the Department of the Air Force to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace. To continue this success, we must be ready to respond to emerging threats across all domains.

Delivering a 21st Century Learning Services Environment

Floyd McKinney — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 16:00:00 GMT

To successfully develop Airmen and maintain our competitive advantage, we must close the digital gap between Air Force learning professionals and Airmen.

Invisible Wounds

Michelle Padgett — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 14:08:37 GMT

I often look around the room and wonder, who is suffering in silence…facing challenges that no one else can see…scarred by traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress.

Commentary: Transforming the Civilian Defender Program

Heidi L. Scheppers — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 13:08:09 GMT

U.S. Air Force leadership declared 2020 as the Year of Integrated Base Defense, or IBD, focusing on how every air and space professional fits into a layered defensive network. IBD is greater in scope than any single career field. It requires active participation between all Air Force specialty codes and ranks to operate as a cohesive fighting force.

Djibouti Unknown

1st Lt. Will Boss — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 20:30:00 GMT

One team's support of the Department of Defense has a very unique mission: to identify and analyze all wildlife involved in collisions with aircraft, which is one of the major causes of damage to U.S. Air Force aircraft.

An outbreak of COVID-Kindness? Am I symptomatic?

Chaplain (Col.) Dan Brantingham — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 16:34:00 GMT

In the midst of this global pandemic, there is little known outbreak of kindness, “COVID-Kindness,” happening around the world simultaneously.

Our share of the task

Lt. Col. Lucas Choate — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 12:30:00 GMT

Just like the American spirit, our mentality in the military is always “can do,” never say quit, and never say you cannot complete your mission.

The AFSOC Air-Ground team in action: How Precision Strike turned the tide of battle against ‘the ISIS-K Pentagon.’

Maj. Jeffrey Wright — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 13:00:00 GMT

I served as the lead joint terminal attack controller and fire support coordinator for a major assault against a notorious Islamic State group – Khorisan (ISIS-K) stronghold in Nangarhar, Afghanistan. This operation took place from April 1-6, 2019, and the events below took place on the night of April 3-4.

The Year of the Defender improved career field capabilities

Brig. Gen. Roy Collins, Director of Security Forces — Sat, 15 Feb 2020 14:00:00 GMT

As we move forward into the new year, I’d like to reflect upon the past, “Year of the Defender” and how this critical initiative equipped our defenders to be more lethal and more ready. The increased investment in training, resourcing and equipment provided the career field with a spark that will continue to deliver capabilities to our defenders for years to come.