Commentary Search

  • Wing policy addresses water safety

    The weather in Northern Japan is getting warmer, and it can be tempting to jump into the Pacific Ocean, just minutes away from the base. Before you get in the water there are host national policies and Misawa Air Base policies you must be familiar with. Due to powerful rip currents in the Pacific

  • Resiliency mainstay of Air Force families

    In trying to develop an idea for this commentary, several ideas came to mind. At first, I was going to write a "60 Minutes" Andy Rooney style paper about the use of words that corporate Air Force likes to throw at us every year. Synergy was the buzz word during our Total Quality Management hay day

  • No one is immune to suicide; it affects us all

    What is it in us that seeks finality? As humans, life has many challenges and rewards. Too often the rewards seem few and the hardships plenty. For the military Airmen, those hardships are defined by personal issues and stressors from obligations to duty and country. I find myself asking, "How have

  • A fighter pilot's perspective on control

    Regardless of the badge or rank, as Airmen we all decided to put the needs of our country above our own. We work in high-pressure environments where we compete with peers for jobs, schools, and promotions. Yet we still need to function as cohesive teams to achieve each of our squadrons' missions. If

  • Your service has value

    We live in a "me first" culture. Although crises like 9/11 can bring Americans together to rally around national imperatives, many of our countrymen live their daily lives focused on "looking out for number one." Your service--to your unit, to Misawa Air Base and to your country--sets you apart from

  • Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll: Works for Rock Stars, but Airmen? Not So Much

    Sex, drugs and rock and roll ...This way of life might work for some civilians, but for Misawa Airmen it proved to be nothing but a hangover in the closing months of 2010. Misconduct has cost Misawa Airmen many stripes, lots of money and significant freedom during these months. These failures in

  • The Strength of Change

    "Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely," said author Karen Kaiser Clark.  As I reflect on my 28-plus years in the Air Force, I frankly wonder how I've endured. After all, in just the past 10 years, my family and I have moved seven times, I've been stationed at a remote base one time and

  • Volunteers make Christmas very merry, international

    Christmas came early to the Misawa area Dec. 4 when base volunteers made it possible for sixth graders from Oirase Town and their counterparts from Sollars and Cummings Elementary Schools to unite. The children had the opportunity to learn about each other's culture during the 18th annual

  • Community involvement doesn't have to be local

    As Airmen, we all know staying involved in our community is important. It's part of our performance reports, and a big part of our culture. Our volunteerism benefits the Misawa community, but does it have to end there?My sister is an eighth grade English teacher in Manchester, Conn. The town is far

  • Fitness focus is on keeping you alive, not downsizing

    It's no secret the Air Force has placed a renewed emphasis on physical training lately. Although we've always had a PT program, the recent revisions are the most significant we've seen in the past few years.Likewise, it's no secret that many Airmen are concerned about keeping up with the revised