Focus
The Western Air Defense Sector (WADS) guards the skies over three-quarters of the continental United States. Headquartered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord's McChord Field, WADS is the larger of two sectors responsible to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the Continental NORAD region for peacetime air sovereignty, strategic air defense
Focus
"The Washington Army National Guard stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the regular Army," stated Col. George Abbott, commander, 96th Troop Command, during an award ceremony last February. He made his comments during the presentation of a Purple Heart to Sgt. Justin Smith, A Company, 341st Military Intelligence Battalion, Washington Army National Guard (WANG),
Focus
Staff Sgt. Joe Gallik stood in the driving rain and lightning at the Yakima Training Center and told his platoon they had done a good job. "That was some good shooting," the Washington Army National Guard (WANG) Soldier said. "You guys did a great job out there." During a recent three-week annual
News Front
Only July 26, the commander of Air Mobility Command selected Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, and MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, as the relocation sites for the next two KC-135 Stratotanker pilot flight simulators. KC-135 pilot flight simulators, also known as Operations Flight Trainers, or OFTs, provide pilots a high-fidelity, full-motion
Focus
Looking for a challenge? Think about becoming a member of the Washington National Guard's Counter Drug Task Force (CDTF). Headquartered at Camp Murray, the unit was established by Congressional order in 1988. The CDTF provides support to law enforcement and community-based counter drug operations at the local, state and federal levels. The CDTF's
News Front
With the new Operational Camouflage Pattern, or OCP, uniforms rolling into service Air Force-wide in October 2018, come the uniform patches to go with them. Before designing and ordering patches for units, many are stressing the importance of understanding the rules and regulations that come with the patches. Patches play an
Focus
For the Soldiers assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (SFG) (Airborne), Washington Army National Guard (WANG), there is nothing ordinary about their commitment to service. The 19th SFG (A) is one of two National Guard groups in the United States. Headquartered in Utah, the Group has responsibility
Focus
Once Leah Hansen stepped over the line of departure (LD), a test of her leadership skills began. An officer candidate seeking to earn a commission in the Washington Army National Guard (WANG), Hansen and 10 other candidates recently honed their leadership skills during a situational training exercise (STX). To become an officer
Focus
The U.S. military is likely due for some downsizing. That's how one former member of the U.S. House of Representatives sees it. Joe Sestak, a former House member who represented Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district from 2007 until 2011, spoke to small business owners and local civic leaders during a special forum held
Focus
All the support coming out of the South Sound directed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord troops in Afghanistan is not going unnoticed, according to Lt. Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, I Corps commanding general. During a video teleconference from Afghanistan Oct. 20, Scaparrotti praised all the support back home. "We appreciate the support
Concert Alert
We list major concerts going on sale this weekend, as well as national touring acts performing in the Puget Sound this week and down the road. SECRET TICKET CODE TM = Ticketmaster, 253.627.TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com TW = TicketsWest, 800.325.SEAT, www.ticketswest.com TWEB = Ticketweb, 866.468.7623, www.ticketweb.com >>> ON SALE WEDNESDAY, NOV. 2 10 AM Gigantour
Focus
Officials at the Washington State History Museum in downtown Tacoma have been wanting to host exhibits that appeal to military members and veterans for quite some time now. So when the chance to present an exhibit from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum came along, officials jumped on it. "Black Wings:
Focus
The Air Force Association's McChord Field chapter has a good thing going. The chapter recently captured the Community Partner Gold Award for the third straight year at the AFA's 2011 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 19-21 in Washington D. C. This award is given to chapters whose community partner
Travel
A visit to the Hanford Unit of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park located in Richland, is enriching and offers a fascinating STEM tour for children, and a greater insight for adults to understanding the complexities of nuclear negotiations with North Korea and Iran. The B-Reactor National Historic Landmark is
Operation Family Support
(446th AW PA) - Halloween, which is just around the corner, is a scary good time for many. What's not a scary good time is what will follow for some Reservists and their families; a bleak holiday season. Members of the 446th Airlift Wing can brighten the outlook for the upcoming
News Front
Gym rats, fitness buffs and aspiring bodybuilders get ready, because the Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) Bodybuilding Championship is only one week away. The competition will take place Saturday, Aug. 11, at Nelson Recreation Center on JBLM North, and it's open to servicemembers and civilians alike. JBLM Sports, Fitness and Aquatics Program
Military Life
The issues of military relationships can be surprising for some. There are deployments, re-deployments, field problems, moves, job changes just to name a few pressures on a couple. That's where Strength at Home -- a new program funded by the Department of Defense can help ... even provide a couple $300
News Front
From the most remote locations on Earth, soldiers will soon be able to enjoy their favorite meal. Slices of delicious comfort, in the form of Meal, Ready-to-Eat pepperoni pizza, are currently being cooked up in preparation for worldwide distribution. Soldiers have been asking for a pizza MRE since the 1980s. In
News Front
Katherine "Katie" Wilton has been selected as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America's Pacific Region Military Youth of the Year awardee. By winning, she received a $40,000 check to be used toward college. This past March, the Joint Base Lewis-McChord youth was also named the Washington State Military Youth of
Health
"The Passport to Wellness is about more than people just getting physically fit," said Lynn Larson, RN and nurse educator with the Health Promotion & Wellness Service. "This is geared to help them in every facet of their life." The program, which encompasses the five pillars of wellness - physical, emotional,
