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  • U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bryan Robinson, the First Term Airmen Course (FTAC) NCO in charge, leads the revamped FTAC class at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The new FTAC is a five-day class that consists of briefs from different base agencies, 13 hours of professionalism training and tours of a B-2 Spirit and the Oscar-1 Minuteman Missile Alert Facility. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Danielle Quilla)

    FTAC: Airmanship 300 bridging the Air Force core values to the mission

    With all the military jargon that is thrown around, FTAC, or First Term Airmen Course, is somewhere in the mix. For many, this course is just another box to check on the in-processing checklist; however, recently it has developed into a vital part of the Profession of Arms.

  • Whiteman Geobase: On the map

    While playing around as a child and looking for places to start your next adventure, you may have come across the bright yellow signs planted in the ground telling you not to dig in the immediate vicinity without calling “811” to get clearance, due to the presence of gas lines or other utilities. When you grew older and started learning to drive you may have had a few moments of gratitude for the maps that helped your reach your final location. What you may not have thought about is who contributed to the surveillance and behind-the-scenes work, which helped you safely reach your destinations.
  • U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Thomas Cadwell, an air-crew flight equipment technician assigned to the 509th Operations Support Squadron, inspects a four-line re-lease at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Aug. 21, 2017. The four-line release is used after the pilot has ejected and needs to steer the parachute to keep it from landing in an unsafe area.

    Inspection to perfection

    At any given moment a pilot may need to eject from an aircraft. The Airmen of the 509th Operations Support Squadron (OSS) inspect and pack parachutes that could save a pilot’s life. These Airmen have an important job requiring them to look at every piece of the parachute before it is packed and ready to go.
  • Senior Airman Felipe Vilches-Hernandez, 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron licensing and vehicle operator, assists an Airman in renewing his military vehicle license July 19, 2017, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. All Airmen operating large vehicles are required to obtain training and a license for accountability and to prevent mishaps. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Daniel Brosam)

    Vehicle licensing ensures Airmen safety

    Airmen from the 341st Logistics Readiness Squadron are responsible for supporting vehicle and transportation needs for the wing and its 13,800-square mile missile complex.The squadron consists of the vehicle operations flight, vehicle management flight, transportation management flight, installation readiness flight and the material management
  • 2nd Lt. Taylor Parker, 10th Missile Squadron missileer, center, takes a selfie with her teammates during the Armed Forces Volleyball Tournament. Parker, was one out of 12 women selected from three military teams to move on to play for the Armed Forces game. (Courtesy photo)

    Best foot forward

    From being one of three freshmen at the Air Force Academy to open the volleyball season in the starting line-up to becoming the first Air Force player since 2010 to be named Mountain West Player of the Week, one lieutenant has always gone for what she wants.For 2nd Lt. Taylor Parker, 10th Missile Squadron missileer, her journey began a week after
  • Chief Master Sgt. Amber Mitchell is the new 341st Missile Wing command chief. Mitchell is the primary advisor to the commander on matters concerning the readiness, morale, health, welfare, and discipline for nearly 4,000 military members who support the nation’s nuclear surety objectives by operating, maintaining, and securing 150 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. (U.S. Air Force photo)

    Meet the new 341st MW command chief

    After 19 years traveling around the world from Kentucky to Texas and Germany, one Airman has finally made her way to Montana to serve as the new command chief at Malmstrom.Chief Master Sgt. Amber Mitchell has taken the reigns and is excited to bring her experiences, personality and goals to all of Team Malmstrom.“I’ve served in the Air Force for 19
  • Alexander Bryant, social media strategist and graphic designer, takes a photo with Oprah Winfrey. Bryant served as an Oprah Winfrey Network ambassador. He always wanted to meet Winfrey and was able to surprise his mom, June, with meeting her as well. (Photo by Rich Cruse)

    From England to an Emmy: the successful journey of a military child

    Military children sacrifice and endure so much while their loved ones serve their country. The deployments. The multiple moves. Having to make new friends. Adjusting to a different culture and way of life. Some continue the tradition of serving their country; others find their own career path, but do not forget what the military lifestyle has
  • Tech. Sgt. Laura Pelkey, 341st Medical Operations Squadron NCO in charge of education and training, applies scar tissue injuries June 26, 2017, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Pelkey uses moulage to recreate scenarios to provide the knowledge for military members to process different situations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jaeda Tookes)

    Moulaging to educate

    For one Airman at Malmstrom, her passion for moulage began when she was placed in the position to teach medical training. “I felt it had become routine for medics and other base personnel to simulate most situations and treatments of injuries,” said Tech. Sgt. Laura Pelkey, 341st Medical Operations Squadron family health flight chief. “I thought if
  • Shawn Belk, Airman and Family Readiness Center work and life specialist, speaks with a spouse about options afforded to her June 27, 2017, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. The mission of AFRC is to be available for the needs of the service member, but also support their loved ones. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jaeda Tookes)

    AFRC, here to help spouses integrate

    It’s no secret that the military can ask a lot from service members as well as their families.It is not uncommon for a military family to experience a permanent change of station, a temporary duty assignment or even a deployment during an Airman’s time in service. Airmen are trained and equipped with the proper resources to handle what can be a
  • Maj. Anthony Bares, the director of wing inspections assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing Inspector General office, speaks with participants of the Ride Across South Dakota off Highway 44, S.D., June 4, 2017. Bares took up cycling in 2004 as a way to train for triathlons, and leads the Dakota Regional Air Force Cycling Team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas Karol)

    Cycling for physical, mental fitness

    Do you remember that feeling when you finally figured out how to ride a bike? Your brother or sister, or maybe your parent or guardian, taught you how to balance and pedal at the same time, and then took off the training wheels. Maybe you did a weird circle until you fell down. But you finally balanced, pedaled and rode that Superman or princess
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