30 Jul 2008

2006: Duke Field newsletter is best in DOD

(Editor's Note: This story is republished as a historic tribute to the 919th Special Operations Wing's Midnight Express newspaper, which goes out of print beginning this month.)Defense Information School officials honored members of the 919th Special Operations Wing's Public Affairs team during a ceremony May 5 at Fort Meade, Md. They were the

30 Jul 2008

2004: Duke Field staging area helps storm victims

(Editor's Note: This story is republished as a historic tribute to the 919th Special Operations Wing's Midnight Express newspaper, which goes out of print beginning this month.)After "Ivan the Terrible" passed through northwest Florida with 140 mph hurricane winds and deadly tornadoes that caused billions of dollars in damage and at least 24 U.S.

30 Jul 2008

2003: 711th SOS aircrew honored for heroic mission

(Editor's Note: This story is republished as a historic tribute to the 919th Special Operations Wing's Midnight Express newspaper, which goes out of print beginning this month.)There it sat miserably buried to its belly in the thick Afghan mud on the night of March 4, 2002, after landing "lights out" on what was expected to have been hard-packed

30 Jul 2008

2001: September 11 brought a huge 'paradigm shift' for reservists

(Editor's Note: This commentary is republished as a historic tribute to the 919th Special Operations Wing's Midnight Express newspaper, which goes out of print beginning this month.)As I write this article while preparing for the October UTA, I think back to the last UTA that ended less than 48 hours prior to the attacks on America. It seems like a

30 Jul 2008

1992: 1,400 see birth of 919th SOW June 7

(Editor's Note: This story is republished as a historic tribute to the 919th Special Operations Wing's Midnight Express newspaper, which goes out of print beginning this month.)Formal ceremonies deactivating the 919th Special Operations Group and activating the 919th Special Operations Wing were held June 7, 1992 on the Duke Field aircraft parking

30 Jul 2008

1975: 1st production model C-130: Heroic 'First Lady' assigned here

(Editor's Note: This story is republished as a historic tribute to the 919th Special Operations Wing's Midnight Express newspaper, which goes out of print beginning this month.)A battle-scarred, but heroic "First Lady" will soon be sitting on the ramp at Duke Field. She's the first productions C-130A Hercules ever built by Lockheed-Georgia Company.

30 Jul 2008

1975: Reservists support Vietnam refugees

(Editor's Note: This story is republished as a historic tribute to the 919th Special Operations Wing's Midnight Express newspaper, which goes out of print beginning this month.)For thousands of homeless Vietnamese refugees, Eglin AFB is a sanctuary ... Their first step towards a new life. Execution awaited many if they stayed in Saigon. But here,

30 Jul 2008

1974: AC-130 H Gunships: Unit receives new mission

(Editor's Note: This story is republished as a historic tribute to the 919th Special Operations Wing's Midnight Express newspaper, which goes out of print beginning this month.)Congressman Bob Sikes announced this week that the 919th Tactical Airlift Group is programmed to convert to ten AC-130 gunships in July 1975 when the unit will be

1 Jul 2008

Time has come, end far from near

My fellow Dukers, the time has come to say, "Goodbye," to the Midnight Express and embrace its digital version. I know it is difficult to change your comfort level, and though sitting in front of a screen to read anything can't be good for the eyes, it is the way of the future. You've heard how quick news will be published and how easy you can

1 Jul 2008

AFSO21 success depends on your ideas

Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century is the Air Force's dedicated effort to maximize value and minimize waste in all of our processes. For this program to be successful, ideas for improvements in work centers have to come from the Airmen most familiar with the unit's practices. As the program expert, my job is to help Airmen identify