• Must strive for excellence in all we do

    "Excellence in all we do." It's one of our core values, it describes a lifestyle, a culture, a modus operandi if you will. Yet, arguably, it's the one core value we are more willing to compromise than any other. We allow ourselves to be less than excellent, sometimes to the point of rationalizing

  • Brothers in arms: Chief knows pain, resiliency

    Teofilo Evans and Alfonzo Evans grew up with the same dynamic as most brothers do, combative, but underscored by a deeply rooted bond rivaled by no other relationship."We were usual boys," Alfonzo said. "We fought like brothers, but he was always the older brother. He was the rock in my life."The

  • Chief comes from humble beginnings

    Editor's note: This is the first in a three-part series on Chief Master Sgt. Ericka Kelly.Most find it a stressful, grueling time when they learn to operate on little sleep and be part of a team of people with varying personalities."I remember saying to myself, 'This is great! I hope they keep me

  • Airmen who brought Nat Geo to war get first look

    Nearly 10,000 miles away from Afghanistan, the war's realities are sometimes hard to imagine. Other than maybe a spike at the pump, many carry on with life with little regard of the turmoil that takes place on the other side of the globe. But there are some who know all too well what it's like to

  • First in line for cake

    I have had the privilege of commanding the 15th Air Mobility Operations Squadron for the past two years and truly believe I am the luckiest man in the world. Like all squadrons, we have had our share of bad times, but they have been outweighed by the good times and offset by our ability to rally

  • Resiliency - a personal story

    I appreciate the opportunity to write this article and share with you a personal experience of how resiliency training helped me. According to the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, resiliency is the ability to withstand, recover and grow in the face

  • Travis hosts Books on Bases

    The Blue Star Families returned to Travis for the fourth Books on Bases at the Mitchell Memorial Library June 4. More than 250 children and their families attended that evening for free books, crafts and snacks.Blue Star Families is a nonprofit organization founded by military spouses that is

  • Sergeant's fight with testicular cancer leaves scars

    Master Sgt. Sean Arnold takes most things in stride, even being diagnosed with testicular cancer.The 60th Operations Group resource manager said he's "not even remotely shy about this," cracking jokes and making puns about the life-threatening battle he's faced during the past 19 months in the most

  • Seeking out one's passion helps give life direction

    Physical Fitness has been a passion of mine for over a decade. I've been fortunate enough to compete in several half and full marathons and have completed in four Ironman Endurance Races. I have also recorded a nine-minute fit test, and at the age of 51, can still run a six-minute mile (if I have

  • In Alaska, Travis helps firefighters stay safe

    The 60th Aerial Port Squadron was called into action May 30 and 31 to help fight the wildfires in Alaska."Seems we are the quick-reaction force for swift logistical movement for constant emergencies worldwide," said John "Buck" Buchanan, 60th APS civilian port operations officer.On May 30 APS