22 Apr 2008

The Golden Step: taking time to do a little more

How does a backyard business grow into a multi-billion dollar international industry? How does an individual born in poverty, with limited means and options, end up being elected to the most powerful and influential office in the entire world? How does a sports team climb up from a historically losing record into a world-class program? The answer

19 Mar 2008

Above all, Airmen are warriors

So, I'm sitting in a traffic jam. It's bumper to bumper. My lane seems stuck, but other lanes are slowly creeping along as I see a steady flow of motorists pass me by. To keep from going insane, I let my mind wander around and look at things that I normally would not notice. Well the thing that caught my attention was an unusually large amount of

28 Feb 2008

ACC, AFCYBER join forces to provide the right tools for cyber success

From the onset of President Eisenhower's presidency (1953) through 1992, the United States military intervened in world events some 51 times; from 1992 through 2000, they had an additional 51 interventions. Notably, throughout the 1990s, U.S. forces were involved in peacekeeping, peace enforcement, humanitarian relief and extended low intensity

20 Feb 2008

Now is the time to learn about candidates

Democrat or Republican? Liberal or conservative? I never really paid attention. All I knew was that Alex P. Keaton, the character played by Michael J. Fox on "Family Ties" was a Republican. Other than that, I never knew anything about either political party. As a young Airman, I would listen to the older, more seasoned noncommissioned officers and

10 Jan 2008

Follow the Leader

Long gone are the days of the leadership mantra, "Shut up and color," a quote I heard often early in my career. That directive style of leadership seems prehistoric in the kaleidoscopic times of today. As operational concepts, organizational structures and technologies continue to change and improve, Air Force leaders must transform their

11 Dec 2007

COMACC addresses F-15 stand-down

Defending our nation is serious and often dangerous business. We continually balance mission demands with acceptable risk and achieve spectacular results. Earlier this week I determined that one of the key pieces of armor that protects our nation's skies currently puts our aircrew at unacceptable risk. As a result, I directed a stand-down of all

10 Dec 2007

In the company of heroes

It was my honor to have been standing in the company of heroes on Thanksgiving Day this year. I had the privilege of traveling with Lt. Gen. Gary North, 9th Air Force/Central Air Forces commander to the tip of the spear in Afghanistan and found America's Airmen serving with selfless dedication. We observed that Senior Airman Jason Cunningham's

4 Dec 2007

Thanks due to those of the 'Great Generation'

The 66th anniversary of the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor is almost here, and each of us should take a moment to reflect and give thanks to those of our grandparent's generation who served America during World War II, especially those of us fortunate enough to be a part of today's military. We all endure hardships today, but few compare to

3 Dec 2007

ILO: Airmen have it tough; Army has it tougher

Editor's note: Sergeant Orban, 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office superintendent, is currently on a six-month In-Lieu-Of deployment to Baghdad in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Shouts of "IED! IED!" broke the prolonged silence as Airmen in my armored convoy sprung into action. The seatbelt pulled taught against my ballistic vest as the

9 Nov 2007

The Air Force: An experience in saving lives

Before 9/11 - Private Practice I was in private medical practice in Wheeling, W.V., for almost 15 years. As part of the solo private practice, I was a dying breed. No partners, no groups, just me and my office staff. Even so, it worked and I built the practice up to almost 6,000 patients, attended two hospitals and two nursing homes, and was on the