22 May 2007

Memorial Day is a time to thank those who have come before

More than a million American service members have died in the wars and conflicts this nation fought since the first colonial soldiers took up arms in 1775 to fight for independence. Every Soldier, Sailor, Airman and Marine who died fighting in these conflicts was someone's son or daughter, father or mother or friend. Each was a loss to the nation -

20 May 2007

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month: Spotlight on 442nd Combat Infantry Group

As we embrace Asian Pacific Heritage Month, it is only fitting that we recognize the warriors who were at the forefront of one of the bloodiest battles in U.S. history. The U.S. Army's 442nd Regimental Combat Team, composed of the 552nd Field Artillery Battalion, 232nd Engineering Battalion and the 100th Battalion, is a shining example of how

18 May 2007

Fostering Airmen's initiative

Being an engineer, I tend to view the world through an engineer's eye. For instance, I see initiative much as I would view inertia. Inertia is when an object in motion tends to stay in motion, and an object at rest tends to stay at rest. To me, initiative works the same way. If you create an environment that overcomes the resting inertia and you

18 May 2007

Farewell Team Kadena

Our time here in the 18th Wing has been far too short, but nevertheless, an awesome experience as part of Team Kadena. We could not be more proud. Let me reflect on your accomplishments: Airmen engaged in the Global War on Terror from Afghanistan and Iraq to the Philippines; from Nicaragua to Thailand to Russia, across the globe, your warrior

19 Apr 2007

Our responsibility as Airmen

The Air Force of the United States of America possesses the most destructive, fast, far reaching military capability in the world. Such potentially devastating power demands the highest levels of responsibility and commitment by every U.S. Air Force Airman. The President of the United States relies on America's Air Force to fly, fight and win

4 Apr 2007

Liberty: Freedom to choose worth fighting for

Remember second grade when your teacher asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Then she started at the first seat on the far right side of the room. You were in the second row, third seat, desperately trying to imagine what you wanted to be and then making sure you said something that would score "cool" points. I remember that moment and

19 Mar 2007

Thoughts on situational leadership

The world has changed since I graduated from high school nearly 28 years ago. The Air Force I joined in 1979 is not today's Air Force. While "fly, fight and win" may be an enduring motto, our culture, resources and people have changed and so have our thoughts on leadership. In order to deal with change, effective leaders analyze their situation -

8 Mar 2007

People: Our most valuable asset

As the commander of an Air Force squadron, or a leader at any echelon in the world's best air, space and cyberspace force, it is imperative that we understand the mission from the wing down to the lowest levels and most importantly, we must know our people. Recent articles in the "Kadena Shogun" have discussed the importance of the mission. My