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Commentary Search

  • Does your organization have a culture of “No”?

    Over the past three decades, I have observed varying degrees in the shift of Air Force culture. I joined the Air Force in July 1990, one year after the end of the “Cold War.” President Ronald Regan had just defeated the Soviet Union, and the United States was emerging as the World’s only super

  • Capturing history, one shot at a time

    Some children grow up wanting to be doctors, actors, professional athletes or business owners. However, life doesn’t always turn out the way that you have envisioned it in your mind. For some, that realization happens when they complete high school, and have to make a decision on the next step in

  • Everyday Heroes

    Oursociety often has a preoccupation of raising up people to mythical levels. Weequate various groups of people with elevated morals, increased intelligenceand a naïve belief that those people are infallible from bad decisions. Lookno further than the public condemnation of your favorite actor or

  • For Airmen, extraordinary things happen every day

    As military members, most of us understand we're a part of something special. I'm not sure I realized the full reality of just how unique our profession is until I stepped away from it. I didn't stay away long, but when I returned, it was with a new sense of appreciation.I served almost 10 years on

  • Got Courage?

    You may not have met Technical Sergeant Stephen McGrath, but he works in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal shop at Kadena Air Base. On Nov. 18, 2007 Sergeant McGrath was on a deployment in Iraq when an enemy force engaged him and a platoon of soldiers with direct small arms fire. He responded

  • Holiday message to 5th Air Force Airmen

    As we enter this holiday season, many of us will gather together with our friends and family to spend time with those we love, celebrate our faith and reflect on what we hold dear.I ask each of you to also take a moment and reflect on what you have accomplished for our Air Force, our nation and this

  • Take care of yourselves, families and wingmen this holiday season

    With the holiday season fast approaching, Chief Master Sgt. McLean and I and the entire HQ PACAF staff and our families want to offer a sincere thank you to the entire Pacific Air Forces team--military, civilians and family members--who have enabled continued success for our command in the

  • This Veteran’s Day share the legacy

    We recently concluded our fall gathering of senior PACAF leaders where we were joined by Vietnam veterans Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Steve Ritchie and former Navy corpsman and Honolulu Advertiser publisher Lee Webber. General Ritchie is an acclaimed ace with five kills, and Mr. Webber defended against an

  • Airmen show commitment to Pacific in relief efforts

    Typhoons. Tropical storms. Earthquakes. Volcanic eruptions. Oh, and don't forget the tsunami. All of these environmental events struck the Asia-Pacific region from Sept. 26 to Oct. 7--15 major incidents, depending on how you count them. Considering I assumed command of 13th Air Force on Sept. 2, it

  • General North Addresses Pacific Airmen

    Fellow Airmen, I am grateful to return to Pacific Air Forces and for the opportunity to once again serve alongside many friends, partners and allies in this vast and important region. It has been my privilege to serve among America's finest Airmen throughout the region and alongside our counterparts