Airman shares suicide story, raises awareness

“February seventh, I attempted to commit suicide," said Senior Airman Kirk Nelson, 23d Force Support Squadron honor guard head trainer. “That day I took eight [painkillers],” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kirk Nelson, 23d Force Support Squadron honor guard head trainer. “My body was shaking and

Worth the weight

With her brow furrowed and teeth gritting as every muscle in her body tenses up, the dissonant sounds of metallic ringing, determined grunting, and echoed overhead music, constructs this 25-year-old bodybuilder’s place of serenity. Staff Sgt. Macy Benjamin finds her escape from everyday life within

USAF Master Sergeant uses illness to shape her leadership

In September 2003, Angel McKenzie was a healthy senior airman, who had a line number for staff sergeant. She was working on the flight line as an aircraft maintenance Airman at Fairchild Air Force Base, when all of sudden she was plagued with a weakness on one side of her body that could not be

Airman cleared to land AF-level award

Air traffic controllers have one of the most demanding and stressful jobs in the Air Force. With no room for error, they must be calm, decisive and quick thinking in order to be effective.Senior Airman Kimo Lagapa-Talbott, 355th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, recently received

Feature: Green Flag measures readiness, interoperability

During combat, an Airman’s job is to create effects on the battlefield to support the commander’s intent and his nation’s strategic objectives - simultaneously balancing aggressiveness with restraint.To ensure mission success, the Air Force must provide the best training possible. That’s where

Nellis makes a childhood wish a reality

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – Growing up building model airplanes with his dad, Reymond Rivas always dreamed of joining the Air Force to become a fighter pilot. Unfortunately on Dec. 28, 2013 his dream was put on hold as he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Recently, Reymond was

Aerial refueling: Tankers serve as gas stations in Nevada skies

Over the Nevada Test and Training Range, aircraft from all over the globe blast through the Nevada sky in a simulated war scenario. In the exercise, called Red Flag, units test their abilities against some of the military's premier aircraft while also receiving some of the best training offered in

A View of Red Flag 16-3

B-52 brings thunder to Red Flag skies

With summer temperatures heating up, the 96th Bomb Squadron Airmen from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., are moving full swing into Red Flag 16-3. The squadron has a long-standing history. It was activated in 1917 and in 1993 began flying the B-52 Stratofortress.

Moody pilot embraces new way to serve

Military aviators are called upon to serve in a variety of ways.A-10C Thunderbolt II pilots provide close air support and a security service to troops in contact, a mission with an immediate tangible outcome for those in need on the battlefield. On the opposite end of the globe – another set of