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Commentary Search

  • User responsibilities regarding information systems use

    The growing reliance on automated information systems by the Air Force is evident today. This reliance requires the implementation of protocols guiding information systems use. To reference your responsibilities regarding the use of computers, utilize Air Force Mandate 33-152: User Responsibilities

  • A prestigious event, 75 years in the making

    Dear Airmen, soldiers and fellow patriots of Sumter,From the earliest of its origins, Sumter, South Carolina, (or ‘Sumterville’ as first incorporated in 1845) has been a city characterized by industry, patriotism and a strong sense of community. Its namesake, Brigadier General Thomas Sumter, fought

  • Armed Forces Voter’s Week is here!

    The 2016 Shaw Air Expo and open house, “Thunder Over the Midlands,” was only a few weeks ago and now everyone is preparing for Independence Day. The 20th Fighter Wing is busy as usual. Soon the summer will come to a close and the 20th FW is scheduled to hold the Air Force Ball. Before long, it will

  • Honoring military service, support

    For many, Memorial Day is viewed as the official beginning of summer. School is out, the pool is open and there is a long weekend to enjoy. Memorial Day is observed each year on the last Monday of May. On this day, military members and civilians alike honor those who gave their lives serving our

  • Memories of air shows past

    The smell of burning JP-8 jet fuel wafting through my nostrils always reminds me of my childhood, and when I hear the roar of a jet engine I can’t help but think about all the times I attended air shows as a young boy. Those days were impressionable on me; they really assisted in discovering my

  • Should My Child Have Dental Insurance?

    SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. – As the month wraps up, I’d like to focus on one of the questions we receive quite often: “Should I sign up my child for dental insurance?” The answer is like many in life – it depends. First, the military offers two great dental insurance plans through TRICARE. For

  • What You Need to Know About Zika Virus

    SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Most people have heard about the current Zika virus infections in South America, Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South Pacific.  Zika virus infects humans through mosquito bites. Rarely, sexual transmission has also been reported. But only about one out of

  • Celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month

    As we celebrate Children's Dental Health Month during February, take a look at some of these children's dental health statistics.  Is there at least one dental fact you may not have known?-Childhood tooth decay is five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay

  • Military, Political Activities

    During the 2016 election season, the Air Force and the Department of Defense encourages Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen to exercise their right to vote and freely express their political views.  However, service members must be aware that their political activities have the

  • Sending your vote home: how it works, why it matters

    As voting season draws near and all of the commercials on TV seem to be nothing but presidential hopefuls pandering to their audiences, there seems to be a lot of questions rising to the forefront of service members' minds: What is absentee voting? How does it work? Why should I bother? Let's tackle