• Challenges of leadership in a deployed environment

    After returning from Afghanistan as a squadron commander in January, I have had time to reflect on the role that leadership plays in a deployed environment. Through my introspection, I have distilled four basic leadership philosophies that strengthen the most valuable military resource--our

  • Absentee voting and the military

    Every election year, people face many challenges when heading to the polls. Some have trouble leaving work for an extended period of time, while others may be at home with children. But for military members and their families the challenges may be even greater. From one month to the next, many of

  • 131st FW transitions to become the 131st BW

    A new mark in history was made recently as the Air National Guard 131st Fighter Wing from St. Louis officially stood up as the 131st Bomb Wing during a ribbon cutting ceremony here Oct. 4. The ceremony celebrated the official grand opening of the 131st BW's headquarters here, located at building

  • Spirit Award

    Brig. Gen. Garrett Harencak, 509th Bomb Wing commander, presented Kelli Steinke, wife of Staff. Sgt. Kevin Steinke, 509th Civil Engineering Squadron, with the Whiteman Spirit Award Sept. 25. Mrs. Steinke was nominated for the award by Anne Johnson. Early Sunday morning, Sept. 7, a spouse of a

  • Why it is important to me that I serve my country

    (Editor's note: Col. Gloria Twilley is a former commander, 509th Medical Group, August 2005 - June 2008. Colonel Twilley recently won the national American Legion Auxiliary award for her essay below. She was presented with the award at their national convention in Phoenix in August.)It is a pleasure

  • B-2 weapons school... so easy a caveman can do it!

    Since my return to the 325th Weapons Squadron a year ago, I have realized time and again that many Whiteman personnel are unaware of how Cavemen contribute to the Air Force mission of "Fly, Fight, and Win!" When I say I work in the Weapons Squadron, many immediately confuse us with the 509th

  • Whiteman Spirit Award

    Master Sgt. Brock Belknap, 509th Bomb Wing program security manager , and Tech. Sgt. Ben Au, 509th BW PSM, received the Whiteman Spirit Award from Col. John Robinson, 509th Bomb Wing vice commander, Aug. 6. Gerry Harley, 509th BW PSM, nominated Sergeants Belknap and Au for the award. Sergeants

  • Guardmembers run Show-Me State Games torch to opening ceremonies

    The Missouri National Guard marathon team recently ran the Show-Me State Games torch from the steps of the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City to the KOMU Channel 8 building in Columbia. Eight Soldiers ran for four hours along U.S. Highway 63. They endured 25 miles of harsh black road, intense