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  • Opportunity knocks

    According to the 1988 Webster's New World dictionary sitting in my office, opportunity is a combination of circumstances favorable to advance one's self. The beauty of the Air Force is the number of opportunities it affords you. In my nineteen years in the Air Force, these opportunities were frequently subtle and many times I didn't recognize them

  • Every day is a parade

    When I was going through Officer Training School, my flight commander told us that every day was a parade. People were watching us, they were judging us, they were expecting us to always be sharp and focused. Any breach of protocol or breakdown in discipline would be noticed, and from which perceptions could be drawn concerning our character,

  • Keep traffic safety in mind as spring approaches

    As spring arrives it is important that we focus on safety. Spring brings warmer temperatures, wet roads, high winds, blowing dirt and many opportunities for accidents on the road. Now is a good time to check your car's tires, brakes, wiper blades, and windshield washer fluid -- all those things we tend to put off during the winter months. Each

  • Together we can prevent sexual assault

    April has been designated as sexual assault awareness month. This month we commit to raising awareness and promoting the prevention of sexual violence through the use of special events and public education. The Department of Defense's theme for this month is "Prevent Sexual Assault: Ask! Act! Intervene!" This theme focuses on the ability of every

  • Time to welcome spring

    This is a great time of year: the snow is gone, spring is here and with that comes a chance to get outside to enjoy several exciting and fun events. Spring brings good weather to Misawa and the cherry blossoms will be in bloom on base and around the area soon. That means it's also a good time to get rid of that winter weight and work at getting

  • Thank you for your unwavering professionalism

    I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the men and women of Misawa Air Base for their tremendous dedication and commitment towards our policy of unwavering professionalism. You all have a direct impact on our great relationship with our Japanese friends in the city of Misawa. I'd like to specifically thank the commanders, first sergeants and

  • Continuing a Customer Service Focus

    Why do we have a great dining or shopping experience only to have a mediocre encounter the next time? If one dissects the distinction between the good versus bad experiences, the key probably lies in what type of customer service was received. So, what is it that we can do to deliver world-class quality customer service? In our age of ever evolving

  • Don't quit trying to be a wingman

    Last week, during the USFJ Day of Reflection, I was asked by one of our Airmen a question that I have always had a tough time answering. As we discussed the events that have so greatly affected our relations with Japan, he asked, "When are we going to acknowledge the fact that sometimes stupid people do stupid things, and we aren't going to be able

  • DoDDS teacher thanks her 'snow angels'

    Saturday night, Feb. 16, my friend and I headed home after dinner at the Spaghetti Restaurant in Towada. The food was great and no alcohol was consumed, tea is my poison. At 9 p.m. in 20 degree weather, traveling slightly over 25 kilometers per hour on a narrow ice-slicked road, my black RAV-4 hit the skids. I careened into a snow-covered rice

  • Empowering All Our Airmen

    I've always believed that the Air Force leads the military in empowering our younger Airmen in making the right calls and acting accordingly based on those decisions. No matter if a person's rank is Airman Basic; we have counted on these young men and women to be thinkers and leaders vice just followers. This past exercise reaffirmed my belief in
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