Commentary Search

  • Heat stress: are you protected?

    It's that time of year again when excessively high temperatures are a major cause for concern. We all know that staying hydrated is important, but just how important is it?According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been more than 8,000 deaths throughout a 20-year span

  • Never too young to lead

    We often hear it said that commanders and supervisors should lead by example.We look to them to set the tone, blaze the trail, and to be a model for the unit. Sometimes, however, the tables are turned. Some of our youngest Airmen are setting the best examples here in the 384th Air Refueling

  • Acid attack!

    No, "Acid Attack!" is not the name of a heavy metal band. It is the tiny war that goes on between your teeth and acidic beverages every time you take a swig of your favorite pop - or soda or coke, depending on your area of the country. Energy drinks, soft drinks, sports drinks, juices and wine are

  • A toast to remember the fallen

    Off we go into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun . . .As I write this it has been less than one week since aircraft 8877 crashed in Kyrgyzstan, and as I reflect on what we do in the 22nd Operations Group, it is impossible to separate the sacrifice of the crew of Shell 77 and the

  • The military aviation salute

    There is a long and proud history between aircraft air crew and ground crew. This strong relationship predates fixed wing flight and military aviation as we know it today. Even on the very first powered flight, Orville and Wilbur Wright had to decide who would be first to fly their craft and who

  • Doing the right thing when others are looking

    Doing the right thing when no one is looking is a commonly accepted definition of integrity. But what if we turn this around - how many times have you felt pressured in front of your peers or subordinates to do the right thing when everyone is looking?It's easy enough to wear your uniform correctly

  • Nasal allergies, pollen, you

    For many people with history of nasal allergies, pollen can be the reason why of many sneezy, unhealthy days and nights. Springtime is associated with an increase of nasal allergy cases due to the high concentrations of pollen in the air. Pollen from trees begins to release between January and May,

  • Resiliency programs help McConnell community

    Life throws curve balls at us all the time. Sometimes in the military, it may feel like they come faster than normal with deployments, relocations, family separations and other day-to-day stressors. To help our military community remain resilient and even grow during uncertain times, McConnell has a

  • Behind the scenes: budget trim down, successful end of year

    Driving through the main gate you are welcomed by a revitalized marquee. You may not have noticed the new carpet design in the Robert J. Dole Community Center Ballroom, but surely you can't miss the barren spots of land where the old Airman's attic, vacant bank, and clubhouse once stood. You may not

  • Service - the backbone of McConnell AFB

    As Lt. Gen. Darren McDew, 18th Air Force commander, recently pointed out in his letter to the Mobility Air Forces, a lot may change in the future, but not the core values. Integrity, excellence and Service remain the foundation of U.S. Air Force.I think that the 22nd Air Refueling Wing epitomizes