Commentaries

  • Early Days of Aircraft Maintenance Training at Sheppard

    Base officials had been ordered to begin training on Oct. 13, 1941. School officials improvised by borrowing tools from the community because many of the training materials and mechanics tools had not yet arrived. Due to construction delays caused by heavy rains, barracks were used as classrooms. In

  • Sheppard's First Commander was Aviation Pioneer

    Col. Edward "Red" Black, Sheppard's first commander, was a tough, but fair man. His demeanor was one that garnered praise from higher-ranking officers, but also one that unknown to him, hindered his ability for promotion. A reputed tough but fair commander who loved good cigars, Colonel Black

  • Sheppard Field one of sites chosen for glider program

    It was the Germans, following World War I, who first mastered the art of glider warfare. After their defeat at the hands of the Western Allies in 1919, they concentrated on developing civilian glider programs as a way of maintaining a non-military aviation link. During the 1920's, dozens of clubs

  • Incredible!

    Two hundred and thirty one years ago, 56 men signed our Declaration of Independence with a solemn pledge in the last line: "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred

  • 82 TRG Civilian Mentoring Program

    We are looking for a few good people; someone who can share professional experience with others to help them grow and develop. For those interested, come join the 82nd Training Group Civilian Mentoring Program. The program was recognized as an Air Force Best Practice during its first year. As we

  • Answering Your Questions

    Last month I held six Commander's Calls to give you my assessment as to how we're doing as a wing and provide an avenue for you to ask questions and air concerns. We had great turnouts at each session. I know attendance wasn't an option for our military folks, but I certainly appreciate all the

  • Charter-members reflect on Air Guard's first 60 years

    Their membership gets older, and smaller, every day. Nearly 60 years have passed since the Air National Guard formed, but time has not removed distant memories of 1946 and 1947, when these veterans helped claim victory in World War II. You may have met one on your drill weekends outside your shop,

  • AFSO21 - Working Smarter, Not Harder

    By now, most of you have heard of "Air Force Smart Operations 21" (AFSO21), the Air Force-wide initiative to develop leaner, more efficient processes that will save money and time for our organizations. In a nutshell, AFSO21 is all about working smarter not harder. Why is AFSO21 being

  • Strategic planning includes taking care of people

    Last week I discussed some of the specifics of our 82 TRW strategic planning effort called the Balanced Scorecard. I mentioned our new mission statement is "To Deliver Technically Superior, Highly Motivated Warrior Airmen." To achieve this mission requires supporting objectives in two main mission

  • What is a "Designated Driver?"

    The principle is simple: one individual refrains from drinking alcoholic beverages to ensure the safe transportation home of the remaining guests. At the next party, another person volunteers and the responsibility is rotated. In Sweden and the United Kingdom, where the practice originated,