Lofton: It was a deliberate act

His thoughts were the same as everyone else's the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. It was an accident; nothing more. Col. Samuel Lofton III, the 82nd Training Group commander, began preparing relief efforts for the first crash when the unthinkable happened. A second airliner was intentionally flown into

A helping hand

Just like mom and dad

"Alright Red Chalk. Let's go," yelled a slender staff sergeant as he tried to get troops lined up, ready to board a bus. "Move it," he urged the sleepy-eyed mission-ready "Airmen" as they stammered around here at Bldg. 2113 following an early morning wake-up call. Operation Kids 2006 was underway to

82nd TRG becomes next stop on general's orientation schedule

Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux methodically went through some of the courses Monday afternoon at the 82nd Training Group. Always the student, the general listened intently as if he were the one being taught the fundamentals of avionics, how to manage an airfield or the intricate details in tearing

IMAs hone readiness skills

Members of Team Sheppard deploy on a regular basis to forward locations across the globe, leaving squadrons short on manning and lacking options. That's where the individual mobilization augmentees step in to lend a hand. IMA's are a reserve component, with a singularly unique mission. "IMA's are a

In tune with nature

Sheppard government vehicle fleet to begin using alternative fuels

Sheppard will become the 10th location to offer biodiesel and the sixth ethanol pump in Texas in early May as alternative fuel sources for government vehicles. The move is part of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and Executive Order 13149, "Greening the Government Through Federal Fleet and

Sergeant receives purple heart for injuries suffered while serving with Army in Iraq

The pomp and circumstance April 21 was more than Staff Sgt. Pablo Martinez Jr. said he felt he deserved. He was doing his job in Iraq, just like every Airman sent to the theater has done and is doing now. But not every Airman is coming home with a Purple Heart. "When we deploy, you never know," said

Training programs have reach beyond the Air Force

Any questions about Sheppard's importance in the overall mission of the Air Force and current operations were answered in one visit by a senior Air Force official. Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Michael Dominguez visited this week and was impressed by what he

Our way of life

At 4:30 p.m. daily, Sheppard Air Force Base becomes still. Cars cease moving, Airmen snap to attention and silence descends upon Sheppard. Everyone is motionless, that is, except for the Airman negligently listening to music on his afternoon jog. He stands out like a lone sailboat on a calm sea