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  • Master Sgt. Freddie Simon makes a point about patriotism as he speaks with Tech Sgt. Dan Oliver, Gateway rnewspaper reporter.

    Thoughts on Patriotism

    In a general way, patriotism means love of country -- love of one's country or one's homeland. Look deep into the patriot, and we find core values. I suggest that these core values are more similar than different, when compared across boundaries of politics, economics, language, and other cultural characteristics. Most of us share high hopes for
  • The maintenance members of the 932nd Airlift Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command unit, standby next to the two planes they maintain. At left is the C-40C and at right is the C-9C. Call 1-800-257-1212 for more information on openings and training required.

    Maintaining the fleet is part of history and national security

    I recently had the opportunity to be a witness to living history at the 40th Bomber Group Reunion held in Saint Louis.I listened to some of the most amazing stories told by some of the most amazing men and women from "The Greatest Generation". As I listened to them, I couldn't help but think of the outstanding maintainers from our wing who are
  • 932nd Airlift WingThe 932nd Airlift Wing, the only Air Force Reserve Command flying wing in Illinois, received its third C-40C distinguished visitor aircraft, as it arrived directly from the factory in Seattle. When the country's top military and civilian leaders fly on missions around America and the world, Air Force Reservists at Scott Air Force Base are ready to make sure the leaders receive the best care in the air. The Air Force Reservists are part of a select group of military flight attendants who are members of the 73rd Airlift Squadron, within the 932nd Airlift Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command unit located at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The wing currently flies VIP airlift missions on both the C-9C aircraft and the newer C-40C. In addition to the maintainers on the ground and the pilots who fly the aircraft, it takes a special person to make in flight service for high-level passengers -- to include the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the First Lady of the United States, the secretary of State, secretary of the Interior, the CIA director and the speaker of the House, just to name a few -- the top priority at 28,000 feet while also juggling many other duties. Tech Sgt. Tom Otten is one of those special flight attendants. "I love being a flight attendant because it gives me the opportunity to truly live the motto of service before self," Sergeant Otten said. "Our entire job revolves around putting others first and caring for their needs above our own. The amount of planning, flexibility and hard work that it takes to fly a mission is something that I find very challenging and very rewarding."

    An editorial on promotions

    As an enlisted member, who in our Air Force Reserve does not want to get promoted? Our culture has changed quite a bit in today's Air Force Reserve. Today's airmen are smarter and more technologically sound than most of our seasoned (experienced) airmen. The expectations of our young NCOs and SNCOs are higher than the previous generation.
  • Members of the 932nd Airlift Wing, including the new Command Chief Master Sgt. Sandra Santos (right), went through Air Base Ground Defense classes in preparation for an overseas deployment. The training is designed to prepare Airmen to defend a base against intruders, as well as methods for approaching suspicious individuals. Photo/Maj. Stan Paregien

    Dynamics in the desert

    Asked what I have learned during this deployment, I can think of several things. The most significant realization is that I was profoundly a part of something much bigger than myself. Let me first say that I think prior to departing, we instinctively took responsibility for our families and ourselves by developing financial plans, family support
  • Maintenance Group commander Lt. Col. Kirk Peddicord and Chief Master Sgt. George Elder watch the final preparations and countdown to the takeoff of the 932nd Airlift Wing's first C-40C. The 932nd Airlift Wing flies both C-9C and C-40C planes.

    Off to Texas

    It is with a heavy heart that I say good bye to all the great people in the 932nd. I have been asked to take over the maintenance group (MXG) at Lackland AFB, Texas. It was almost three years to the date I showed up here to command the MXG, and in that time, I have been blessed to have such terrific people to work with. Each group has contributed
  • The 932nd Airlift Wing said farewell recently to Lt. Col. Richard Feldmeier as he entered retirement. Colonel Feldmeier credits others for many of his accomplishments. “I had great people like Colonel Wade and Col. Roger Wujek, Chief Master Sergeants Kris McManus and Ron May, and Master Sgt. Brian Eckhardt to guide and teach me. Chief May taught me how to be leader. Chief McManus taught me more than I can say, but thank you will never be enough. Colonel Wade guided my career. Colonel Wujek and Colonel Fletcher gave me a chance to put it all together. What better a role model than Colonel Wujek? He is the leader you personally couldn’t bear to disappoint, need I say more?” Colonel Feldmeier said that as an observer in an Operational Readiness Exercise meeting, he told the group, after a lengthy discussion, to give him 45 minutes to come up with a training plan. He then went and developed the plan. “I sealed my fate as one of Colonel Fletcher’s (in) famous Four-Horsemen and realized the faith and trust he had put in me,” he said with a smile. Colonel Feldmeier said training for a temporary duty assignment to Belize was the hardest thing he had ever done. “My right arm was Master Sgt. Connie Holverson without whom the Belize mission or any of the training exercises I ever planned would not have happened, successfully anyway. Whenever I approached her about a big undertaking, all she would always ask was, ‘What do we need to do?’ I may have gotten a lot of credit for putting those things together but, I did it standing on her shoulders.” He said a proud, but surprising moment, came in 2002 as he was named the Air Force Reserve Command’s Officer of the Year. Another highlight was being asked to write a cover story for “Officer” magazine.

    Thoughts on service

    Lt. Col. Richard Feldmeier retired from the 932nd Airlift Wing in 2008.He decided to share his thoughts on being in the military and he has a long history of military men in his family. His grandfather was a member of the Coast Guard, and his father and three uncles were members of the U.S. Navy. In 1970, it was his turn. Back then, Colonel

  • What the 101 Critical Days of Summer mean to me

    As a pre-teen in the late 50's, the first day of summer meant no school for an eternity. The schoolbooks teachers said I could keep all conveniently got lost on the way home. Summers were mostly about doing chores in the morning, followed by being chased out of the house so mom could watch her afternoon soap operas. My friends and I played in
  • Col. James Patterson understands why 932nd Airlift Wing firefighters think they have the best job in the Air Force Reserve. Photo/Capt. Stan Paregien

    "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers"

    William Shakespeare's play "Henry V" has immortalized these famous words: "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers."For he who sheds his blood with me this day shall be my brother......." Few words have ever expressed the bond that we in the military share. Whether in the past, present, or future, all those who have and are willing to lay down
  • Command Chief Master Sgt. Merle Lyman pauses aboard the 932nd Airlift Wing's distinguished visitor aircraft before his final flight. Photo by Maj. Stan Paregien

    Farewell my friends

    Well, I guess the time is here for me to say farewell, depart the ranks, and hang up the uniform for the last time. I always knew this day would come, but I guess I never fully prepared for it. I have always enjoyed every opportunity I had to wear the uniform, mainly because I believe in everything it represents. Time has gone by so fast, as it
  • Col. Jay Flournoy, commander of the Air Force Reserve Command's distinguished visitor flying mission in Illinois, explains the role of the C-9C plane. He and the aircrew provided information about the 932nd Airlift Wing during a recent flight. Photo/Tech Sgt. Gerald Sonnenberg

    Thoughts on service

    I recently had the pleasure of attending the Air Force Reserve Command Outstanding Airman of the Year ceremony and witnessed one of our own Senior Airman being recognized as the outstanding Airman for Fourth Air Force. While watching his father join him on stage, I imagined the road that lies ahead for him as he continues his career as a member of
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