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  • Warriors don't always wear uniforms

    A few years ago, I was serving alongside active-duty and reserve Airmen in a declared combat zone, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. There I got the full picture of what my service to this country was all about. There, I was no longer just a civilian doing my job. I was a needed asset to the mission, providing support to fulfill whatever the mission

  • Air Force life ... a season of change, customs and courtesies ageless as ever

    I remember attending basic communications technical training at Sheppard Air Force Base in September of 1987. Our training squadron and the rest of the base for that matter was preparing for the Air Force's 40th anniversary. My role in the celebration was to display a flag in a ceremony honoring the greatest Air Force in the history of the free

  • Two axioms from an old man

    Hopefully we all have had a sage old veteran pass some age old advice to us. I did when I was a young second lieutenant. He was my group commander at the time and I consider him my first mentor in the Air Force. Colonel X, as I will call him, ended his very successful career as a 30-year colonel. He gave me some invaluable advice that I willingly

  • Why we run -- It helps us be fit to accomplish mission

    I hate running. Running makes every part of my body hurt -- knees, lower back, lungs ... even my teeth. I'll admit, I may be getting old and decrepit, but running hurt when I first joined the Air Force, too. So, why do I run? First, the Air Force adopted the 1.5-mile run standard to test and measure our physical fitness. Second, despite the

  • On that day … An officer's reminder of why the national anthem plays

    It was a hot Tuesday afternoon. I was leaving Bldg. 402 after updating my base vehicle sticker. As I walked toward the double-glass doors leading to the parking lot, I encountered a small group of people standing just inside the door -- two Airmen, a civilian employee and one captain. As I reached for the door, the captain said, "You don't want to

  • Who's responsible for morale, quality of life?

    In the last 27 years, I can't even remember how many times I've overheard discussions about morale or quality of life. I've heard everything from official briefs at commander's calls to gripe sessions in the shop. The usual meat of the subject is that unit leadership is the key to high morale and good quality of life. Not surprisingly, unit

  • To be successful leaders we must constantly evolve

    Leadership is often thought of as a skill that's developed gradually, but I disagree. In my journey through the ranks, I've often wondered how our systematic approach to officer development translates to actual leadership growth. The Air Force promotes gradual increases in responsibility and mentoring from senior officers. But has anyone completed

  • Successful separation preparation - one CGO's lessons learned

    I'll be honest. I was irked when I learned about Force Shaping. It was certainly not in my plans to have to face the decision to bail on the Air Force I love or face the possibility of being forced out of it so early in my career. But instead of staying mad and grumbling quietly, I decided to take control of the situation and put in the effort

  • If not us, then who?

    In 2003, a senior Department of Defense memo was leaked to the press in which military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq were characterized as “a long, hard slog.” You may feel the same way, as you face long deployments and the many personal and family hardships associated with combat operations. Like the weary traveler on a long journey, you may
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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