Commentaries

Memorial Day also good for making new memories
May 24, 2012 — Greetings and salutations to all as we approach another great New Jersey summer! Many base the beginning of summer not on astronomical or meteorological data, but rather on the arrival of Memorial Day weekend, a federal holiday instituted in 1971, making a three-day weekend when the weather is generally good for most of the country. Though Memorial... MORE

This Memorial Day remember those who served and make safety a priority
May 24, 2012 — SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Each and every day of service you give to our Nation, you are honoring the men and women who have given their lives in defense of freedom. With the Memorial Day weekend upon us, please pause a moment to reflect on those who came before us. Courageous men and women whose selfless devotion secured the prosperity and way... MORE

Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr. is Commander, Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

African partnership advisory mission returns home with more than a promotion
April 30, 2012 — I am an air mobility air advisor with the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron, based at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Our mission in the MSAS is to proactively engage with African partner nations to build lasting relationships, exchange ideas, and enhance U.S. and partner nation interoperability.After a year of Air Advisor training... MORE

Eagle Flag: Memoirs of an Airman
April 27, 2012 — When I was "asked" to participate in the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's semi-annual Eagle Flag exercise, I looked at the opportunity as a paid vacation of sorts. Of course, at the time I had absolutely no clue how truly involved I would become.I work as a public affairs specialist for the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs... MORE

To salute or not to salute
March 22, 2012 — After a routine appointment at the 87th Medical Group I walked out the front entrance of the building through the overhang. I put my cover on and began to walk to my car as I would any other time.Before I even made it five steps out the door, an Airman in a flight suit sternly said, "Excuse me Airman, do we not salute officers anymore?" It just so... MORE

Your momma wears combat boots
March 15, 2012 — On the small town playground of my childhood, the comeback quip of last resort after being physically or verbally pummeled was "well, your momma wears combat boots."It was the juvenile equivalent of today's profane four-letter bombs, but with bigger consequences. If used, the surrounding crowd within earshot would in unison let out an "aahhh,... MORE

Stormwater pollution is everybody’s concern
March 15, 2012 — Stormwater pollution is one of New Jersey's greatest threats to clean and plentiful water and that's why we're doing something about it.The rain washes pollution from streets, parking lots and lawns into storm drains, where it travels directly to our drinking-water supplies. It also enters the ocean and lakes our children play in. Fertilizer, oil,... MORE

Expeditionary Task Force inactivates, 70-year tradition to continue
March 13, 2012 — On March 19, a 70-year long chapter of air mobility history will close here with the inactivation of the 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force.The EMTF's lineage began in 1942, when the organization was first established as the 23rd Army Air Forces Ferry Wing. The unit changed names several times, but served continuously as a key component of Air... MORE

Saving fuel secures future – one gallon at a time
March 9, 2012 — Maintainers, aircrew members and aerial porters are changing the course of Air Mobility Command's future.AMC is the Defense Department's largest aviation fuel consumer. Avoiding fuel waste is one of our greatest opportunities to help the DOD continue the mission within a constrained budget. If we don't meet budget reduction requirements by sparing... MORE

To push beyond ones limits
March 2, 2012 — One day after duty, a group of battle buddies and I went to the gym to get our daily "pump" on. We had been working out together for quite some time and were accustomed to each other's strengths and weaknesses. When it came to dumbbells, I excelled; in fact, I was the strongest in the group. However, I still wanted to improve my strength through... MORE

Soldiers demonstrate a proper weight lifting technique, where one Soldier spots the other for safety. According to a release from Science Daily, www.sciencedaily.com, the popularity of weight training has grown over the past decade. (Courtesy photo/Released)