HomeNewsCommentaries

Commentary Search

  • An assortment of military mementos decorate a memorial of the summit of Mt. Suribachi on March 30, 2017, at Iwo Jima, Japan. The mountain top is a site famous for the flag raising photo taken during the battle of Iwo Jima (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Juan Torres)

    Honoring Iwo Jima

    “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking, we will be landing in Iwo Jima shortly. Local weather is around 72 degrees and the time is approximately 10:37 a.m. We want to thank you for flying in our C-130H,” announced the pilot over the speakers, jokingly imitating a commercial airline announcement.About 15 minutes later we were on the

  • Unishima Adventure: Joint Bilateral Exchange Program

    Most of my military career was spent in Pacific Air Forces,mainly Misawa AB and Yokota AB. When I was a young Airman I always asked why wenever conduct exercises with Japan Air Self-Defense Force. It all felt sosegregated and I didn’t understand why.  After returning to Japan in 2015, I was introduced to the amazingBilateral Exchange Program by my
  • A view of Mount Fuji, Japan, March 3, 2016. At 12,380 feet, Mount Fuji is Japan's tallest mountain, attracting more than 200,000 climbers every year. This graphic was made using Adobe Photoshop to add text. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Staff Sgt. Michael Washburn/Released)

    Nippon Bunka: the introduction

    This is the first article in a commentary series highlighting the unique and distinct Japanese culture (Nippon Bunka).Japan... For most people around the world, just reading or hearing this word triggers a plethora of common thoughts; sushi, technology or maybe even samurais. Why? Is it from movies and TV shows? And, if so, why do the same words or
  • FAA model aircraft do's and don'ts

    Tommy got a toy drone for Christmas, what's next?

    The presents have been opened and the wrapping paper placed in the recycling bin. Tommy is anxious to get outside and fly the new "Invader 700" drone, complete with a 10 times zoom digital camera that sends immediate videos to your new iPad. Wow, you can't wait to get out there with him and fly this thing. We can get to the instructions and safety

  • Offline 17 Days...

    Being stationed so far from Yokota, it may surprise you that I feelpersonnally impacted by a suicide there.  As I was about to undertakeanother of my tasks, I came across an email reference claims against themember's estate.  I was taken back to navigator training when I had justreturned from Vale, Colorado with the Naval Aviation Choir performing

  • Tooth Sensitivity

    Imagine, you are sitting down about to eat a bowl of ice cream that you have been craving all day.  When you take that first spoonful into your mouth, you feel the worst pain imaginable.  This could be due to the fact that you may have sensitive teeth. Sensitivity can result when the dentin is exposed.  Dentin is the second layer of the teeth below
  • A view of Mount Fuji, Japan, July 11, 2015. At 12,380 feet, Mount Fuji is Japan's tallest mountain, attracting more than 200,000 climbers every year. This graphic was made using Adobe Photoshop to add text. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Airman 1st Class Delano Scott/Released)

    Ascent to the top, overcoming Fuji's challenges

    I detest nature. As a Washington, D.C. native, what makes me feel at home are tall buildings and overcrowded sidewalks with street musicians performing drum solos on old, worn out buckets. As I stood at the base of the mountain, hearing nothing but the sound of gusting wind whistling through the never-ending sight of rich-green trees, I felt out of

  • Habitual Fitness Protects the Investment

    After 18 years of military service, I've seen many changes to the Air Force's Fitness Program.  As an Airman, I was subjected to the stationary bicycle test; a test that was controversial at best because of the great difficulty experienced by testers who should have passed with ease.  While on the other hand, smokers could generally pass the test
  • Members of the U.S. Air Force view the damage in Nepal first hand following the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that damaged many parts of the country. (Courtesy photo)

    Yokota aircrew recounts Nepal earthquake

    (The following is a first-person account by a C-130H aircrew member who landed in Kathmandu, Nepal, just moments before a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the country on April 25.)We were tasked with taking an 11-man Special Forces team from Kadena Air Base, Japan, to Kathmandu, Nepal, for a training exercise.  After being cleared by air traffic
  • A Japan Air Self-Defense Force member (top left) poses with a group of Yokota Airmen at a samurai souvenir store during the noncommissioned officer exchange at Komaki Air Base, Japan, March 23, 2015. Thirteen NCOs from Yokota were able to participate in the exchange. (Courtesy photo)

    My time at Komaki Air Base

    Thirteen lucky NCOs were allowed the opportunity to travel to Komaki Air Base, Japan, to experience what it's like to work with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. I was very anxious to see what the base was like and to meet my Japanese partner.  After a short flight by C-130 Hercules, we were graciously greeted by our JASDF counterparts and briefed
RSS