10 Dec 2009

Holiday Greeting - 52nd Munitions Maintenance Group

Gretchen and I wish the entire 52nd Fighter Wing team a wonderful holiday season. I want to specifically thank the Airmen of the 52nd Munitions Maintenance Group for everything you have accomplished in 2009. Every challenge has been met, and your performance has exceeded expectations. Our Air Force has realized the trials presented by our mission.

10 Dec 2009

Holiday Greeting - 52nd Mission Support Group

During the holidays, we find time to rejoice in our blessings and reconnect with loved ones. Freedom isn't free; and many of you dedicate your lives to ensure every American, and indeed many of our friends and allies, realize the fruits of freedom and justice. There is no greater blessing we can share than that of peace. Thank you all for the

10 Dec 2009

Holiday Greeting - 52nd Maintenance Group

From the professional Saber Maintainers of the 52nd Maintenance Group, I'd like to wish everyone a very safe and happy Holiday season. Please enjoy our customized version of The Night Before Christmas!Poem penned by: Senior Master Sgt. John J. Lysaght 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the group, Not a maintainer was stirring, not

10 Dec 2009

Commander provides guidance for instruction conflicts

Remember Air Force Regulations? I do, and there are days I miss them.Several years ago, the Air Force moved away from massive, multi-volume, tree-killing regulations that controlled almost every detail of the working day for all Airmen. In an effort to be more efficient, we elected to change our culture from Air Force Regulations to Air Force

7 Dec 2009

OPSEC: A necessary practice for all

I know each of us spends the obligatory ten minutes each year reviewing the operational security training slides to check the box, but have you really thought about OPSEC in your daily life? Have you considered how the words you say to your buddy while walking through the airport or the blog your spouse or child is writing on a social networking

1 Dec 2009

Irresponsible alcohol consumption degrades mission

Sabers, this week's edition of the Saber Herald is designed to focus on two things: making responsible choices when consuming alcoholic beverages and preventing alcohol abuse. The Saber standard is excellence, and we achieve this when we watch out for our wingmen and carry out our missions.Only when we make responsible decisions, both on and off

30 Nov 2009

Airman recounts DUI experience

March 27 seemed like any other Friday night. My coworkers and I wanted to go to the Bitburg Beer fest, so I drove to a friend's house to drop off my car and wait for a ride. While there, I had three beers and a couple shots of Jagermeister. My designated driver started drinking, so I knew I needed a taxi to go home. We got bored with the beer fest

25 Nov 2009

Simple choice affects lives, loved ones

I was 10 years, 1 month and 1 week old when I lost the first 10 years, 1 month and 6 days of my life.I grew up in a small town in Oregon in a typical family: mom, dad and two older sisters - Tammy, who was eight years older than me, and Rhonda, who was five years older. In 1976, I was in the fourth grade. My oldest sister, Tammy, was a freshman in

25 Nov 2009

True cost of a DUI

What is the true cost of someone driving under the influence of alcohol? This question unfortunately has no simple answer. The expense of a DUI reaches far beyond any monetary value. It may be easy to calculate the monthly pay lost that often results when a commander signs the Article 15; but the cost starts long before standing in front of the

24 Nov 2009

Drinking: A chaplain’s perspective

In my experience, when the topic of drinking alcohol comes up, people are generally surprised that I say, "The Bible doesn't say you can't drink alcohol. It says you can't get drunk." Admittedly, some people don't understand how you can drink alcohol and not get drunk, and get hung up on the notion of what constitutes being "drunk." They think they