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  • Back to the Basics

    When I played football in high school our head coach always wanted to focus on the basics of blocking and tackling early in the week, leading up to the game on Friday night.  He knew that we could never be our best or be able to execute the game plan that we wanted to unless we first focused on the

  • Air National Guard Strong Bonds Program

    The Air National Guard Strong Bonds program is a key resiliency and relational program designed to increase Airmen Warrior readiness through assisting commanders in building and strengthening the structure of ANG families. It may be incorporated as part of the command’s Warrior Readiness and

  • Example in Volunteerism

    The Air Force values its airmen’s service to others. So much so, that a medal was created to recognize those that choose to volunteer their time in service to the civilian community. Most consider volunteering at a soup kitchen or spending days on Habitat for Humanity work sites. However, one member

  • NGAUS and EANGUS

    As fellow members of the profession of arms, we have many commitments and requirements that each of us must successfully accomplish to maintain our readiness and currency.  In return for remaining fully mission capable Airmen, we are provided with several entitlements and benefits.  The National

  • Importance of Reading in a Military Career

    As our new Secretary of Defense retired Marine Gen. James “Mad Dog” Mattis has taken office, it might be good to understand the man behind the position and why he is the perfect man for the job.  I am a military history reader myself with a large collection of books, over 1,000, and after

  • 117 ARW Mission and Vision - They Mean Something!

    117 ARW MissionProvide quality worldwide air refueling, airlift, support, logistics, intelligence and medical services in support of our community, state and nation. 117 ARW VisionA world-class team of empowered men & women committed to continuous improvement and excellence, operating as the model

  • “We See It All”

    Everyone on base knows that the 117th Intelligence Squadron is located here in Birmingham, but I have found that most people do not know much about the building on the hill without windows. I have had the distinct honor and privilege to be a part of this elite unit of dedicated intelligence

  • The Fear of Failure

    Fear is an emotion that evolved as a form of protection from danger.  Fear protects us by keeping us from acting in ways that could put our lives in danger.  Fear also hinders us by holding us back from achievable goals because of painful previous experiences.  Fear can hold us back and steal our

  • It is Time to Vote

    It is coming down to the final days for the presidential election. It is that time again when you get the opportunity to decide who is going to be the next President of the United States for the next four years. It is one of the privileges that you have as a U.S. citizen and one that many take for

  • The 117th Maintenance Group: On the Move with a Global Impact

    Notice something missing from the flightline at the 117th Air Refueling Wing?  Were those tumbleweeds blowing across?  The southwest ramp without KC-135R tankers is a rare sight in Birmingham.With the current deployment to CENTCOM underway, many from the 117th Maintenance Group, 99th Air Refueling