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  • We are guardians of freedom

    Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. They were farmers, bankers, merchants and inventors -- men from all walks of life who had a common goal to stand against oppression and tyranny. They risked their lives by declaring all people have

  • Think and plan strategically

    Pioneers like Mitchell, Lemay, and Creech shaped our Air Force. While their visions for our service were remarkable, they cemented their legacies through diligent planning that brought those visions to life. Today in PACAF, we continue to build legacies and prepare for tomorrow. Like our

  • Don’t be that guy

    MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan - We've all been to the training, seen the slides on the commander's access channel and who could forget the commercials on American Forces Network. But, when you get that special e-mail you've got two choices, one is to do what you have been trained or to be "that guy." From

  • Remembering a tragic day 50 years ago

    As the 35th Fighter Wing Historian, one of my favorite resources in my office is the collection of Misawa Air Base newspapers dating back to 1948. While browsing the newspapers recently, I discovered that, fifty years ago today, the air above Misawa AB was the location of a horrific mid-air

  • Why Drive?

    It may beg the question, but many people wonder why bars have parking lots in a world where driving drunk is prohibited. Here in Misawa City, that question is avoided altogether -- most bars simply don't have any available parking. Yet somehow, the number of service members who drive under the

  • Suicide prevention: A leadership challenge for all

    Every time a life is lost in Pacific Air Forces I am alerted. All are tragic in different ways, but among the most troubling is when it involves a suicide. During the course of my 35 years on active duty, I've learned that we cannot prevent every suicide attempt. More importantly, I've learned that

  • Honoring the legacy of heroes

    For all of us in uniform and those who support our great nation as part of our Air Force team, Memorial Day is a special holiday. Memorial Day observances began following the Civil War when it was known as Decoration Day. This day was dedicated to honoring those who had died during the Civil War.

  • Secure your line badges, protect our assets

    One of the things I notice on a daily basis here is the display of restricted area badges, also known as line badges. One of the most important things I was told when I got my line badge was that it should be secured and out of view when not in the facility or area where the line badge is required.

  • PT is kind of like dirty socks

    The phone rings in your office. It is the orderly room and they want to speak to you. Daily Air Force life lends itself to a couple possibilities. Performance report overdue? No. Late for a meeting? No. Orders? Can't be. When you ask them what they want, their response is simply, "You need to come

  • Physical fitness a vital measure of readiness

    Imagine reporting for duty one morning and having your supervisor say you've been selected for a 270-day deployment to a provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan.  After the news begins to sink in, you then find out you have to complete some tough combat skills training at Fort Bragg, N.C. Holy