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  • 860th AMXS nears 10-year anniversary

    This summer, we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the C-17 Globemaster III at Travis Air Force Base, California. On Aug. 2, 2006, the Fairfield-Suisun-Vacaville community received the first of 13 C-17s with the arrival of tail no. 66154. It would take two years and three months to receive our full

  • Connection quintessential in leaders' attributes

    By now everyone has recognized the changes surrounding culture and generational differences as they progress in their military career. One of biggest contributors to recent cultural changes stems from the differences in the needs of our millennial force, which makes-up the brunt of our technical

  • Simple messages, complex meanings key

    Almost two years ago I had the privilege of becoming a Squadron Commander. A year later, I had the rare honor of taking the guidon for a second squadron. This was an opportunity to help create a fresh identity and culture for this brand new squadron.

  • Know your Airmen as individuals, lead as team

    As a 22-year chief master sergeant, I have come across many leaders and supervisors in my time. Some leaders I wanted to emulate and others I wanted to do the complete opposite of what they did. When I walked into Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, as a brand new airman

  • Earn position to become respected leader

    During my 23 years in the Air Force, I have learned a lot about leadership, but, surprisingly, I have found that a leadership fundamental I learned well before joining the Air Force is the most critical factor in being a good leader. Good leaders earn respect rather than demand it based on their

  • Doing the right thing when no one is watching

    We have all heard the excuses, "The dog ate my homework" or "It wasn't my fault." These excuses normally come from children who have not yet developed the understanding of what it means to be accountable for their actions. Unfortunately, there are people we have worked with who also use similar

  • Memorial Day: The View from My Position

    If you are reading this, you are a "sheepdog" or you support the "sheepdogs." I describe us in that manner because we, in some way, protect the flock from those threatening our way of life.If you are a sheepdog, you don't need a civics lesson on the importance of Memorial Day.  With every

  • Connect with core values to strive for excellence

    As Airmen, we are part of the greatest air power in the greatest military in the world.We didn't get to be the greatest by accident. The hard work and dedication it took to becoming the greatest air power started at the foundation.In 1997, the Air Force published a set of core values for all Airmen

  • Balancing work, life strengthens identity

    As the Air Force focuses on resiliency for our Airmen and their families, concepts like work-life balance are given renewed consideration. The health benefits of maintaining a balance between our career identity and our "true self," the one typified by the activities we engage in outside of work,

  • New mantra must be 'People first, mission always'

    If you've been around long enough, you've heard the phrase "Mission first, people always." Today's Airmen are busy. Whether its high ops tempo, constant deployments, or low manning, our Airmen are being asked to do more and more every day. Nothing is more important than accomplishing the mission -