Commentary: Focus on leadership

"Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. The ripple effect of a leader's enthusiasm and optimism is awesome. So is the impact of cynicism and pessimism. Leaders who whine and blame engender those same behaviors among their colleagues. I am not talking about stoically accepting organizational

Recruiter wins state power lifting championship

Staff Sgt. Chris Modlin, 442nd Fighter Wing USAF Reserve recruiter, recently won first place in the American Drug Free Power Lifting Federation's 2010 Missouri state meet.Sergeant Modlin, who has completed twice before, was in the 221-242 weight division for the competition, hosted in Columbia, Mo.

Reserve F-16 pilot fulfills life-long dream as Thunderbird #4

Maj. Sean Gustafson has a simple, but important, message for his fellow Air Force reservists: "If they can dream it, they can do it - the opportunities available to reservists today are truly unlimited."The major should know. He's currently in the middle of a four-year Active Guard and Reserve tour

476th Fighter Group prepares for first deployment

Twenty-five reservists from the wing's geographically-separated 476th Fighter Group at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., are scheduled to deploy in September along with their active-duty counterparts.The Airmen, pilots and maintainers, will deploy to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom to

442nd Services Flight deploys to support security forces

The 442nd Services Flight deployed to Ft. Wolters, Texas, in support of Patriot Defender Ground Combat Skills Training providing breakfast and dinner to 140 security forces troops during the 15-day deployment.There were approximately 29 Security Forces units - both the reserve and active duty -

442nd Fighter Wing hosts family day picnic

Reservists head to Hill AFB for training deployment

About 70 reservists from the 442nd Fighter Wing went to Hill Air Force Base, Utah Aug. 24 to Sept. 2 to support A-10 Thunderbolt II live-weapons training. This was the first time the wing has had the opportunity to do live AGM-65 maverick missile and live GBU-38 GPS-guided bomb target practice."From

DFT provides realistic training

The missions of the 442nd Fighter Wing's disparate organizations lead to one ultimate goal - using deadly force from the air against America's enemies using real bombs, missiles and bullets.That's why training opportunities, like the wing's recent deployment here, are valuable according pilots and

Congressman speaks to Airmen, tours new facility

Congressman Ike Skelton visited the 303rd Fighter Squadron July 25 to speak to Airmen, tour the new facility and present a flag to the command.Originally from Lexington, Mo., the congressman, who is also the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, was unable to attend last fall's

Maintenance group hosts family day

After months of operational readiness inspection preparation and execution, maintainers and their families were finally able to breathe again. That's what Senior Airman Kathleen Woodward, orderly room technician, said about the 442nd Maintenance Group's family day picnic Aug. 7. "The inspection