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  • Forever linked

    I lost a friend March 3. I was celebrating my 35th year of life, while his family was agonizing over his loss. Life has a way of putting everyday activities into perspective. Staff Sgt. Chris Frost, 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., was a true Warrior Airman. He was a Public Affairs professional. I was never

  • Coming together in tragedy

    Growing up in a military family there are a lot of things you become accustom to - understanding that PCS meant pack up your toys, standing up for the national anthem before a movie and showing your ID card before you buy groceries are some of the things military families find normal. One aspect of military life that is always present to me is the

  • Do you know our heroes?

    I have my own definition of what a hero is. My definition is a person who I personally respect and admire for not only what they accomplished but for someone with impeccable character. As a young boy growing up in Iowa, finding or learning about heroes (outside of my family) came from three network television stations, movies, magazines or books.
  • Chief Master Sgt. Jack De Forrest gets a look at "his" old plane: T-38 #68-8190 on the flightline at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 29. Chief De Forrest was the dedicated crew chief for that aircraft when he served at Randolph more than 23 years ago as a staff sergeant. Chief De Forrest retires Feb. 15 after more than 29 years in uniform. (U.S. Air Force photo)

    Some things never change

    The T-38, tail number 68-8357, sitting in Hangar 4 probably still doesn't fit together very well. Don't get me wrong, it always flew missions well thanks to the excellent maintainers who work on it and skilled aircrews who used it. But more than 23 years ago, when I was a staff sergeant and crew chief assigned to the 12th Organizational Maintenance

  • How do you handle change?

    Did you ever return to a base you were once stationed at or return to a town you once lived in discover that things were just not the same? The chemistry was different, people changed, and you didn't seem to fit in quite as well as you did the first time. Your recollection of the way things once were was different than what you found upon your

  • Waiting

    I didn't cry when my mother died. Not that I wasn't sad -- I had just been expecting it for too long. Since I was five, in fact. It was near Christmas, and my older sister and I were standing outside the skating rink three hours after it closed, waiting for her to pick us up. A police officer finally pulled up, told us to get in and said mom had
  • 2007 Holiday Safety Art

    Take the AETC Holiday and Safety Challenge!

    As we approach the most joyous time of year when many people travel home to visit family and friends, the mass holiday season exodus exposes our military and civilian members, and their families, to increased risks. To reduce that risk, I am asking all members to embrace the AETC Holiday and Exodus Safety Challenge. As part of our mishap prevention

  • Now's time to reinvigorate awareness of safety issues

    Please accept my thanks for another tremendous fiscal year in executing the 2nd Air Force mission of "Producing the best-trained, combat-ready Airmen." Your extraordinary efforts resulted in the production of more than 119,000 technical training graduates and 29,000 new Airmen from basic military training. The technical training pipeline continues
  • Katharine Omstead sits down in the stylist chair to get her ponytail cut to donate to "Locks of Love," an organization that makes wigs for cancer paitients. (Courtesy photo)

    Unconditional love

    As Thanksgiving approaches, we reflect on the blessings we have received over the past year. We can learn so much from the unconditional love of a child. I know I have been blessed with three wonderful children, and their selflessness never ceases to amaze me. I would like to share with you a brief example of two hearts that loved unconditionally:

  • Salute to my relative, a WWII hero

    Early this year, a World War II veteran and my twelve years of military service were buried out west. These were my two saddest experiences of the year, even though both could have easily been expected. Perhaps it was even an odd twist of fate that I resigned my commission shortly after my great uncle was laid to rest in one of the crowded
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U.S. Air Force
33FighterWing-13 Nov
Standing tall has nothing to do with your stature; don't let your height stop your dreams of becoming an Air Force pilot. Those not meeting the pilot height standard can apply for a waiver. To learn more, go to http://go.usa.gov/xpT7v #mythbuster #heightwaivers #USAF #VerticalChallenge #TE2F #inspireAF #AFResearchLab United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command Air Force ROTC U.S. Air Force Recruiting
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U.S. Air Force
33FighterWing-10 Nov
Happy 244th birthday Marine Corps!!
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U.S. Air Force
33FighterWing-10 Nov
On November 4th the Italian delegation at Eglin AFB hosted an Italian Breakfast to the community to celebrate the Italian Unity and Armed Forces Day. Seventy years ago, the Italian Republic recognized this day as National Unity and Armed Forces Day. A date that summarizes the founding values of a national identity long pursued by the Italian people. A day in which the Armed Forces and the Italian people remember the fallen of all the wars that contributed, up to the last extreme sacrifice, to freedom and democracy for the future of the Italian Republic. Italian Armed Forces: one force, one voice. 📸 Antonio DI IEVA
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U.S. Air Force
33FighterWing-28 Oct
#ICYMI Nomads, here's news you can use!
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U.S. Air Force
33FighterWing-25 Oct
#Nomads, never forget that we stand on the shoulders of greatness. Honor all those who served our nation during #WWII by attending the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)'s upcoming events scheduled here ➡️ https://go.usa.gov/xpxnP 📅 Use #KnowYourMil and #DoDRemembers75 to join the conversation!
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U.S. Air Force
33FighterWing-22 Oct
#ICYMI The United States Air Force has a new Secretary of Defense. Barbara Barrett took the administrative oath of office Oct. 18, 2019 making her the 25th #SECAF. Welcome, ma'am! 🇺🇸
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U.S. Air Force
33FighterWing-16 Oct
#Nomads took to the skies over University of Iowa's Kinnick Stadium for a flyover. Check out these highlights from the event!
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U.S. Air Force
33FighterWing-12 Oct
Taking the field Iowa Hawkeyes
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U.S. Air Force
33FighterWing-10 Oct
The #Nomads are heading to the nest this Saturday. 🔥💪🏈 #FireFromTheClouds
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U.S. Air Force
33FighterWing-05 Oct
Our #Nomads were in a fierce battle for the champions of the third quarter load crew and dedicated crew chief competitions this week. Check out some of these highlights from the event!
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U.S. Air Force
33FighterWing-04 Oct
The Misty Forward Air Controllers (FAC) Vietnam veterans visited the 33rd Fighter Wing today. #ICYDK The Misty FAC earned their name during the Vietnam War because they used "Misty" as their radio call sign. It was a pleasure hosting their anniversary reunion here at the wing. Thank you Misty FAC for spending time with the #Nomads this year! #FireFromTheClouds