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  • Email should not replace face to face interaction

    "Hi, I haven't received your response to the tasking I sent you and yesterday was the deadline." "I didn't receive a tasking." "Well, I sent you a reminder via email two days ago." How many times have you heard that statement, "I sent you an email." I often wonder how we managed before that

  • Supervisors, mentors make lasting impressions

    A retirement ceremony was held Oct. 20 for Master Sgt. Michael Gilliard, beloved First Sergeant of the 60th Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron. During his farewell remarks, Sergeant Gilliard talked about the critical role his first supervisor played in helping him to decide to serve in the Air

  • Air Force moving towards AFSO-21

    "Ladies and Gentlemen, we are embarking on a journey to collectively change the way we do business. As we make this challenging journey, we will carry the wounded and shoot the stragglers." This quote, made by a CEO of a large US corporation, kicked off their drive to change in order to survive in

  • Think before you drink, remember 0-0-1-3

    Once again it's Friday; we can breathe a sigh of relief; take time to relax and exhale. Team Travis, we have been extremely busy and I for one don't foresee our ops tempo diminishing. A possibility does exist, however, for it to increase. Seriously, pause and reflect on current world events,

  • Americans still care about each other

    Americans are a great and generous people. Don't let the noise from current boisterous partisan politics fool you. Even though 24-hour cable news stations televise every crazy act they can find, the goodness of America remains. I know this because I got to see all of America, and a bit of the world;

  • Be A Good Wingman, go extra mile

    What is a wingman and why is it important to me? A wingman was originally a term referring to planes flying formation to enhance mutual security while in a hostile environment. Today, we have modified the term slightly to describe a battle buddy or someone willing to lend assistance. A wingman can

  • Air Force may change, but leadership does not

    Well by now you've heard me discuss or read about my perspective regarding how our Air Force is changing. I believe at the end of the day we will be a more compact and agile force ... ultimately, a more combat capable force. My opinion is not derived from the fact that we (Air Force) are currently

  • Be proud of Air Force Heritage

    As we look back over the 60 years since the Air Force was established, we find our proud Airmen contributing to every major military campaign, establishing air and space world dominance and supporting humanitarian operations around the world. Team Travis members have been on the tip of the spear on

  • New way of thinking can improve success

    I remember the day I became a convert. I was stationed at Dover Air Force Base, Del., and the 436th Maintenance Group Commander, Col. Robert Hamm, had invited several troops from around the base to a one-day Lean training event. I had seen many attempts at process improvements during my Air Force

  • Pride should be obvious in base, personal appearance

    As the command chief I've had numerous opportunities to speak at different venues. One of my favorites is speaking to our Airmen at the First Term Airmen Center. The size of the class usually ranges somewhere between 25 to 35 Airmen. I normally have an hour block. I spend approximately 40 minutes