10 Oct 2006

Combined Federal Campaign begins: Donations support everyone

It's that time of year again to pull out the wallets and support those in need. The Combined Federal Campaign is up and running. From Sept. 25 to Nov. 7, campaign representatives here are busily getting the word out about the program's cause and urging personnel to donate. The CFC is a conglomerate of local, national and international campaigns

10 Oct 2006

Thousand-mile club: Members support personal fitness

Feet hit the pavement, hearts pound in rhythm, and sweat pours as the finish line is in view. What look like images from athletic footwear commercials are actually wing members running for their 1,000-mile goal. They are part of the Duke Field thousand-mile club. The thousand-mile club is a program that encourages its members to walk or run 1,000

10 Oct 2006

Wing shares tricks of trade with multinational counterparts

Reservists here trained with Danish and Jordanian coalition forces while supporting special operations missions overseas in mid August. The wing sent 20 members from the 711th Special Operations Squadron and nine wing maintainers to support Air Force Special Operations Command taskings for Early Victor 2006, an annual multinational exercise in

4 Oct 2006

New complex ensures safe, simple aircraft fueling

A ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Aug. 28 celebrating the completion of a new petroleum-oil-lubricant complex here. The $5 million dollar complex, located near the south end of the flight line, boosts the capability needed to supply fuel for flight training and aircraft operations. Replacing the former system was required to maintain an

13 Sep 2006

Lightning safety crucial to lives, equipment

It's that time of year where showers and thunderstorms make it difficult to stay focused on the job. Fortunately for the daydreamers, alerts on Duke Field give the heads-up for approaching lightning. "We've been announcing the 'lightning within five' alert almost four to five times daily this summer," said Master Sgt. David Mooers, 919th Special

12 Sep 2006

SFS gets locked, loaded

Speed, shock and violence of action were exercised by wing security forces during Military Operations in Urban Terrain Training at Eglin Air Force Base Aug. 5. MOUT training involves rapid entry into hostile environments to take advantage of the element of surprise. It's very pedal to the medal, said Tech. Sgt. William Stapp, 919th Security Forces

8 Sep 2006

Active duty departs, ends six-year era

Two active-duty squadrons that made Air Force history here returned to Hurlburt Field in August. The move came with mission changes for the 8th Special Operations Squadron and the 716th Maintenance Squadron. The 8th SOS will become the first operational CV-22 Osprey squadron in the Air Force Special Operations Command, and members of the 716th MXS

8 Aug 2006

Col. Chapman takes command

"This is your wing and I am here to serve you," said Col. Steven J. Chapman to the hundreds of 919th Special Operations Wing reservists who gathered here Aug. 6. Air Force and community leaders, wing members, and friends filled the Fuel Cell Hangar to welcome Colonel Chapman as the 10th commander of the 919th since its reactivation at Duke Field in

26 Jul 2006

Duke firefighter best in AF Reserve Command

Staff Sgt. Michael P. Barrow, 919th Civil Engineer Squadron, was named the Air Force Reserve Command 2005 Military Firefighter of the Year. "Sergeant Barrow is a stellar performer," said Chief Master Sgt. William J. Posey Jr., 919th CES fire chief. "His job performance, technical competence, initiative, and accomplishments are far above the norm.

26 Jul 2006

First sergeants cement the force

The 919th Special Operations Wing has four new first sergeants in place and trained, but it still needs more. Master Sgts. Julie Palmer, Gerard Graham, Joe Webber and I graduated this spring from the three-week First Sergeants Academy at Maxwell/Gunter Air Force Base, Ala. We are now part of an extraordinary group of individuals known as first