Dec. 1, 2014 Taking care of Airmen: How Air Force mental health services helped an Academy leader Chief Master Sgt. Max Grindstaff, the Academy's command chief, said taking advantage of Air Force mental health support services helps him cope today with the deaths of nine Americans he served with in Kabul, Afghanistan."I sought counseling because I needed it," the chief said. "If I feel like I
Nov. 26, 2014 16 pound burden Tech. Sgt. Jason Caswell, a 19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, loves spending time with his wife and kids as well as playing rugby.At age 28, Caswell was an athlete who was well on his way to becoming an Air Force rugby player. From there, his dream was to take the next step of joining
Nov. 20, 2014 AFW2 helps Airmen take steps toward recovery JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (AFNS) -- One would never know the twelve current and retired Airmen walking into the Joint Base Andrews West Fitness Center, Nov. 18, were wounded, ill or seriously injured.Minutes later, it is evident as the bleachers and floor fill with gym bags, volleyballs and prosthetic
Nov. 13, 2014 Injured EOD Airman returns to fuller life In an instant, he went from living his dream to being utterly destroyed on a dusty road in Iraq. An improvised explosive device exploded about two feet from his face, throwing him about 20 feet and leaving him unrecognizable. As his arm dangled to his side, he stumbled up and yelled for the medic.
Nov. 4, 2014 Nothing stops an Air Force mom Master Sgt. Douglas Caldwell, 308th Fighter Squadron independent duty medical technician, recalls the challenges and triumphs of his mother, Sheri Caldwell.In August of 1960, at the age of 6, Sheri had received the live polio vaccination along with 600 other people in Los Angeles.Almost immediately,
Oct. 23, 2014 Airman shares story of loss to raise awareness of childhood cancer Ty Nordstrom was just 4 years old when he caught a large catfish by himself."It weighed around 7 lbs.," said his dad, Master Sgt. Lyle Nordstrom, the 352nd Special Operations Group Inspector General superintendent. "He was very proud of himself -- it was a long, hard-fought battle between the two of
Oct. 20, 2014 Crash survivor shares resilience story to Airmen The men and women of Team McConnell participated in a Wingman Day event Oct. 10, to develop their communication skills, resiliency and focus on Air Force core values: integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do.Wingman Day's premier event was a speech from Jared Estes,
Oct. 15, 2014 The Black Eye Campaign The 90th Medical Group Family Advocacy Program recently sponsored a Black Eye Campaign to promote domestic violence awareness. Volunteers from across base used makeup to give the appearance that they had black eyes in an attempt to create reactions from those who work with them or who saw them
Oct. 15, 2014 Airman wages war against breast cancer "You have cancer." The three words no one, no matter their age, wants to hear. I happened to receive these words at the age of 29.Though I knew from the moment I found the lump in my breast it was cancer, I was in no way prepared to hear those words Oct. 4, 2013, -- the day that forever changed my
Oct. 6, 2014 Airman Wins Five Gold Medals in Swimming at Warrior Games; Sitting Volleyball Medal Games Set Air Force Staff Sgt. August O'Neill dominated in the pool Tuesday, Sept. 30, winning five gold medals and helping push the Air Force into second place in the 2014 Warrior Games medal count.O'Neill finished first in his class in the 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter freestyle, 50-meter backstroke,
Oct. 1, 2014 CAF day focuses on health and wellness The base conducted a series of activities throughout the day in an effort to promote the physical pillar of the Comprehensive Airman Fitness concept among Airmen.This CAF day more than 900 participants took part in an obstacle course, basketball with their squadrons, and bowling, in addition to
Sept. 29, 2014 2014 Warrior Games to kick off As the fog rises over the track and the mist hovers above the pool, a special group of American Airmen are set to compete for athletic glory, service bragging rights and the opportunity to represent the U.S. Air Force at the 4th-Annual Warrior Games.Beginning Sept. 28, for seven days, 40 Air Force
Sept. 26, 2014 MHS Leadership Message - We stand together as a community to prevent suicide Military Health System colleagues,Every September is Suicide Prevention Month. The Department of Defense will take this opportunity, along with our partners in the VA and civilian community to refresh our attention to this important national problem. September is only a one month fraction of our
Sept. 26, 2014 Warrior Games: Wounded warrior overcomes adversity with archery (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)"I have gone on multiple deployments, defeated the Taliban; I never thought another American would do this to me," said Staff Sgt. Seth Pena.Pena, a
Sept. 17, 2014 Amputee Airman defies odds, returns to active duty (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)His sons say he has a robot leg, the doctors and nurses call it a prosthetic, but to him, it's what has allowed him to overcome the odds and continue
Sept. 11, 2014 Invictus Games kick off with opening ceremony More than 5,000 people attended the Invictus Games' opening ceremony Sept. 10, on the South Lawn of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, here.The ceremony included remarks by first lady Michelle Obama and Prince Harry of Wales; a flyover by the Royal Air Force's aerial aerobatic team, The Red Arrows; a
Sept. 9, 2014 US Team prepares for inaugural Invictus Games Wounded warriors from the U.S. and 13 other nations came together here Sept. 8 to participate in their first team training for the inaugural Invictus Games.The games will take place Sept. 10-14 at the site of the 2012 summer Olympics and will feature athletes competing in various Paralympic-style
Aug. 27, 2014 Suicide Prevention Month: A reminder of our 24/7/365 responsibility to ourselves and each other All Airmen have a responsibility that last much longer than a one-month campaign. This responsibility extends beyond ourselves and includes our work environment, our families, friends, fellow Airmen and our communities. While Suicide Prevention Month is observed across the United States in
Aug. 21, 2014 Brighter skies: Deployed 4FW Airman overcomes medical ailment during deployment That day in 2011 began as usual for one 26-year-old Airman who was a little more than two weeks into his six-month deployment.But what began as an ordinary day after he woke up turned out to be far from it.His normal morning routine was disrupted when he noticed the unusual color of his urine. He
Aug. 21, 2014 Comprehensive Airman Fitness: A Lifestyle and culture Comprehensive Airman Fitness is comprised of a multitude of targeted programs and activities as well as resiliency skills taught to enable Airmen to make sound choices.The program's goal is to build and sustain a thriving and resilient Air Force community that fosters mental, physical, social and