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  • “In-lieu-of” taskings, the Air Force and Ellsworth missions

    Every couple of weeks I have the pleasure of briefing Ellsworth Air Force Base's newest first-term Airmen. Every time I brief these young Airmen, I make the point that the majority of our day-to-day focus here in the 28th Bomb Wing is to put "Bombs on Target from B-1 Bombers." However, since Sept. 11 many Ellsworth Airmen have participated in

  • A Thought for Veterans Day

    Once a year, on Nov. 11, we turn our thoughts to Veterans. In my opinion, the proportion is way out of balance. If you think about it, we should honor our veterans' everyday of the year. In my opinion, few military people advocate going to war. They know the horrors of it. Many have seen the killing, maiming and wounding first hand. Others get a

  • National Disability Employment Awareness Month

    The United States can be described as a melting pot made up of differing cultures, ethnicities and other groups of people. One group that is often overlooked is people with disabilities. In this country, the most recent census reported there were more than 50 million disabled individuals. For employment, disabled individuals face a dismal prospect

  • Disrespectful housing residents

    I'm disgusted.I spent nearly eight hours this past Sunday with a few of our Airmen who are being punished by working additional weekend duties. We decided this weekend to walk through the common areas of Centennial Housing to pick up any trash and loose debris on the main drag of Dakota Drive. What a dump.Rarely do I have a chance to walk through

  • Phantom launch

    The phrase “faith moves mountains” usually refers to using our personal “faith” to give us strength to overcome life’s obstacles. However, the faith we show to other people can also “move mountains.”For a leader to show his faith in the capabilities of each member of the team is essential to motivation and enthusiasm for the task at hand. I know

  • The art of 'followership'

    In both the military and civilian environment, organizations succeed or fail not only on how their leaders lead, but also on how their leaders follow.The line between flourishing or floundering is often very thin, and organizations that foster good leader and follower interaction will ultimately push past that line and reach the highest goals.When

  • The importance of self-assessment

    Thus far in my Air Force career I’ve learned that the key to unit success is ensuring that a complete job risk assessment (unit self-assessment) is accomplished to achieve full compliance with the Air Force Inspector General, and as necessary, civilian job standards.The benefits for completing a unit self-inspection are two-fold -- it helps the

  • Ellsworth’s own ‘tomboys’

    It’s been said that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, but when it comes to accomplishing the mission in the U.S. Air Force, the “Venusians” are keeping up with the “Martians” without breaking a stride.Not only are they cooking up hot meals in services, setting up competitions at the Bellamy Fitness Center, typing up work orders and

  • Loud and proud ... HUAH!

    Like most Americans, many of you have likely watched American Idol. If you have seen American Idol, you know that contestants who sing on the show are “proud and loud.”We share a lot in common with the contestants. Just like the contestants on the show, we in the United States Air Force are proud individuals. We take pride in what we do and how we

  • MCAA observances educate, celebrate highlighted cultures

    Although recently briefed as a best practice at the Air Combat Command Commanders’ Conference, Ellsworth’s Multi-Cultural Awareness Association may not be a familiar name to many Ellsworth Airmen.This unique organization has been given the mission to provide cultural variety and awareness to the 28th Bomb Wing and surrounding communities through
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