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  • Lessons my mustache taught me

    In February, Mustache March was a grand idea. In my mind's eye, I saw myself proudly strutting through the squadron bristling with masculine whiskers, fending off fawning admirers while humbly accepting effusive compliments on my bodacious mustache. Yet, as with many things in life, reality was far different. Let's just say that my grooming time

  • Chaplain at War with Grief: My Experiences at Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, Dover AFB, Del.

    As I prepared to tip the commissary bagger, "To the Colors" sounded. Instantly, I turned to face the flag flying over the 509th Bomb Wing headquarters.As I rendered honors to our flag during the National Anthem, a cold blast of wind hit my face. The music faded and tears formed. I was, for those few moments, transported back to the ramp at Dover

  • The Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement

    In 1976, President Gerald Ford signed the Executive Order recognizing February as Black History Month. Men and women of all races across the nation take time out in February to celebrate, educate, and honor all contributions made toward African American History.This year's theme was "Civil Rights in America," chosen by the Study of African American
  • African-American History Month mini-poster, 7.5x10 inches, 300 ppi. This poster was created by the Air Force News Agency. The image for this poster is available up to 18x24 inches at 300 ppi and can be provided in any format required upon request. Air force Link does not provide printed posters but assistance can be provided in acquiring posters through your servicing DAPS. A PDF version for printing on office printers is also available. Requests can be made to afgraphics@dma.mil. Please specify the title and number.

    Overcoming barriers: African-American women in the military

    The reasons behind America's Civil War and why people fought are numerous. For one woman, freedom was the only reason needed. While working for the Union Army as cook and nurse, she was also an armed scout and spy. In fact, she would become the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war when she guided the Combahee River Raid, which

  • Heritage Months: don't hate, celebrate

    The United States of America has a rich and diverse ancestry that helped build this great nation, and our military draws its strength from our country's rich tradition of diversity. This is one reason why the military recognizes the achievements and contributions made possible by that legacy during heritage months each year. However, many people

  • Support from wingmen helps defy once-impossible goals

    Since I can remember, I have always had an aspiration to join the Air Force, but joining meant an ample amount of physical activity, even after basic training, with yearly, if not twice yearly, physical fitness tests. A timed, mile-and-a-half run is the standard distance ran on the cardiovascular portion of the Air Force fitness test. I've always

  • Humility the mark of true leaders

    One of the best lessons I learned about "true leadership" was from a guy who lost an election.For people too young to remember, the presidential election of 1992 was a hard-fought, cantankerous campaign. One of the issues those opposed to Bill Clinton brought up was that he had managed to avoid military service during the Vietnam

  • Spiritual resiliency: How to think about the holidays

    Have you ever noticed that we are called "human beings" and not "human doings"? It is something worth thinking about. It seems we are constantly doing and doing more and more. As we approach the holidays I would like to encourage you think more about your being and less about your doing to relieve some of the stress of this time of year. Here are
  • The Spirit of Missouri taxis down the Whiteman flightline for the first time upon its arrive here, Dec. 17, 1993. Whiteman has been home to the B-2 base for 20 years. (U.S. Air Force photo)

    The B-2 comes to Missouri

    On Dec. 17, 1993, amid much fanfare, the first B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, tail number 88-0329, landed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. While the flight from Edwards AFB, Calif. had been a relatively short trip for the aircrew, the journey to field the bomber at Whiteman had taken years.That journey began in the early 1980s during Gen. Bennie L.
  • Lieutenant General Stephen W. "Seve" Wilson

    A Time to be Thankful

    Strikers,In 1621, the Pilgrims set aside a day to be thankful for a plentiful harvest after surviving a devastating winter.This year we, too, have much to be thankful for. We are blessed to live in a country where we enjoy freedom many others do not possess. This freedom came at a high price for our forefathers. Our nation owes a debt of gratitude
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