Travis Air Force Base Commentaries

The indefinite temporary: 2020 teaches lessons in gratitude, personal growth

Nick DeCicco — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 17:45:00 GMT

In April, as much of the world was cooped up indoors, waiting out the first, deadly batch of cases during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, I was binge watching every episode of the classic American TV show “M*A*S*H.” One of my favorite episodes follows the gang at the 4077th through 1951 in a series of chronological snapshots—doctors innovate a machine to treat kidneys, a knitting project evolves from a potholder into a blanket and Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III bets overconfidently on a Brooklyn Dodgers team that lost on the final day of the season. Revisiting the show was a nostalgia trip from my childhood. It was a respite in what ranks among the most tumultuous years of our lives.

Understanding depression

Greg Chadwick — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 15:42:00 GMT

This is a stressful, uncertain time. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many significant changes to how we live daily life. Social distancing, quarantine, and isolation can be overwhelming and may cause feelings of insecurity, confusion, hopelessness, and, ultimately, depression.

Colonel says thanks before leaving base

Col. Jeffrey Nelson — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 16:40:15 GMT

As my time working for the men and women of the 60th Air Mobility Wing and Team Travis comes to a close, I want to say, “thank you.” I have been honored and humbled to help lead the incredible mission that is Travis Air Force Base while focusing on the priorities of Airmen, Team, Pride and Readiness.

Chief's time at Travis rewarding, enjoyable

Chief Master Sgt. Derek Crowder — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 16:30:55 GMT

As my time working alongside the exceptional Airmen and families of the 60th Air Mobility Wing and Team Travis nears the end, I want to offer my most sincere, “thank you.” As I think about leaving Team Travis, I am reminded of a quote by Winnie-the-Pooh, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” Believe me, I feel lucky to have worked for you the past two years, it has been an incredible journey and by far the most rewarding and enjoyable of my 26 years of service.

Choose kindness over fear

Tech. Sgt. James Hodgman — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 22:47:33 GMT

On a Monday afternoon, I stood outside a grocery store with about 40 people. Many of us wore masks; some wore gloves.

Manage stress before it manages you

Airman 1st Class Cameron Otte — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 19:47:00 GMT

Stress can be fairly terrifying at times and if not managed properly, it can be overbearing and affect your health.

Gyms Closed: Work out anyway

Tech. Sgt. James Hodgman — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 22:58:00 GMT

Fitness centers across the United States have closed their doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fitness center at Travis AFB shut down operations March 15 to help prevent the spread of the virus.

African Americans and the Vote

Timothy W. Finney — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:02:00 GMT

To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week.

Reflecting on 2019, Travis AFB ready for a new decade

Col. Jeffrey Nelson — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 17:23:00 GMT

Happy New Year! I hope that each and every one of you had an opportunity to rest and recharge over the holiday season, and are ready to hit the ground running in 2020. If it is anything like 2019, it should be a challenging but rewarding year for the 60th Air Mobility Wing.

Know your buy-in

Senior Master Sgt. Philip Knight — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 23:04:32 GMT

When did you buy in? It is almost cliché discussing “buy-in,” but hear me out. We all have many reasons to serve and if you ask any Airman you will be presented with a variety of answers. Sometimes it comes in a single moment, ranging from the moment you march down the bomb run at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, or the moment you are presented with your first set of master sergeant stripes. I found that it was more of a realization, than a “gotcha” moment, of how we fit into the mission.

Lessons learned, lessons shared

Chief Master Sgt. Steven Clinger — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 22:36:26 GMT

Throughout our careers and lives, we all have instrumental moments where lessons are learned that ultimately shape and develop us as Airmen and people. I’d like to share some of the moments that I have had and the lessons I learned which have influenced and developed me both personally and professionally.

Opportunity doesn’t call ahead, make sure you have a plan

Chief Master Sgt. Kahn Scalise — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 20:16:50 GMT

When opportunity knocks, it usually doesn’t call ahead of time to schedule an appointment. At least it never did for me.

Reflection – Pen to paper

Col. Gregg Johnson — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 18:27:06 GMT

As some of you might be able to relate, the other night I was reading a story on the internet, which led me to another story that led me to another that led to another.

‘Travis 100’ lays the groundwork for the next 25 years

Col. Jeff Nelson — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 18:34:00 GMT

If I asked you what your plans are for next month, would you be able to answer? A year from now? How about in the next 25 years? That’s exactly what I asked Travis and community leaders to think about last November. Over a three-month period, we developed a 25-year vision for the base that was complementary, compatible and contiguous with our partners in the local area.

Uncle Mike, invisible soldier

Retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Randy A Couch — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 02:26:00 GMT

This is the story I have been able to piece together regarding my Uncle Mike and his service to his country. This Veterans Day remember those in your family who have served. Take an interest in their story if they are willing to tell it and try to write it down if you can so that it may be passed on to future generations. The Vietnam War generation is aging and they won’t be around forever to tell us how it really was.

Everybody matters

Chief Master Sgt. Derek Crowder — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 19:08:02 GMT

People are our greatest asset. You may have either heard or said this many times throughout your career. This statement means one thing to me, it is a reminder of what my parents taught me growing up, everybody matters.

Being prepared to ask the tough question

Col. Jeff Nelson — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 19:00:00 GMT

As the Air Force grapples with the increasing number of suicides, how to determine the underlying causes, and how to respond, I encourage each of us to be ready to ask the tough question to our coworkers, friends and family members. While this is by no means “the” answer to our challenges, it may help save someone or at least show them you care about them.

The power of a positive attitude

Col. Mark Knitz — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 18:01:51 GMT

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude” – Maya Angelou.

How do we become great?

Lt. Col. Jesper Stubbendorff — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 22:38:21 GMT

I recently watched a movie that I really enjoyed, "Free Solo." It is a documentary about a rock climber, Alex Honnold, and his attempt to become the first person to free solo El Capitan, in Yosemite National Park, California. Free solo is a form of rock climbing where the climber climbs without ropes. Honnold has a quote in the movie about achieving greatness. He says, "Nobody achieves anything great because they are happy and cozy." Like Honnold, most of us strive for greatness, but we also like being comfortable.

The power of stories

Lt. Col. John Berger — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 19:47:42 GMT

Since the dawn of time, humans have shared stories. Before people could write, history was recorded through storytelling. Still today, people latch on to information that is passed in the form of a story. It’s why movies are so popular, why we read to our children at night and why we share “war stories” around the water cooler. Stories are a critical way we share information, connect with people and ultimately build teams.