Desert Lightning News – Davis Monthan


 
 

MovieMakers_pict
Commentary

The Movie Makers: Raytheon animators use Hollywood magic to bring technology to life

Posted October 14, 2015 by

The camera skims low over a dazzling blue nightscape. Pulses of light zip through the city below as fiery columns plummet from the sky, exploding on impact. “Cyber attacks spread fear, disrupt commerce and leave a trail of widespread damage…” says an unseen narrator. It looks like a landscape from the movie TRON, but overpopulated…

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Photo by Tech Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen, NC Air National Guard.
Commentary

Wildfire safety

Posted October 13, 2015 by Commentary by Airman 1st Class Alec Trusdell

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — Poor visibility, difficulty breathing and extreme heat are only a few ways to describe the sensation of being near a wildfire. Wildfires are an unstoppable force that consumes anything in their path. They are a deadly hazard that can spark up at a moment’s notice from a negligent passerby’s cigarette or…

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(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Sparks/released)
Commentary

Get out of the Dorms

Posted October 13, 2015 by Commentary by Airman 1st Class Audra Stanton

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — One of the biggest issues with today’s generation is getting out of bed and away from electronics.  That said, the military today is no different. Any Airman living in the dorms what plans they have for the weekend, most of the time you will get an answer similar to “Videogames and…

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Courtesy photo
Commentary

A Change of Mind

Posted October 13, 2015 by Commentary by 2nd Lt. Sydney Smith

TUCSON, Ariz.  — The opposing team was on offense, driving hard down the field while kicking up pellets of rubber on their way toward the goal. I knew how this worked; I had done this many times before in every game since I was a kid. The last thing I remember is tracking the black and white…

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Commentary

Drivers continue to hit dead end after answering automobile ads claiming Exchange affiliation

Posted October 13, 2015 by

DALLAS – An individual or individuals using the “Exchange Inc.” name to handle vehicle purchases has once again been placing advertisements in auto magazines and commercial newspapers, leading Army & Air Force Exchange Service shoppers to believe they’re purchasing a vehicle through the Department of Defense (DoD) retailer. “This has been an issue in the past…

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Commentary

Commentary: Changes to the Air Force’s post-partum policies

Posted September 3, 2015 by

UNITED KINGDOM – On July 8, I received an e-mail informing me that I was within 90 days of my deployment window. My first reaction was, “Great, I have to do a ton of CBTs.”[computer-based training]. I quickly realized there was a high probability that in just three months, I would be deploying and miss…

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Commentary

CCAF offers jump on education

Posted July 31, 2015 by Commentary by Senior Airman Spencer Brockman

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, ARIZONA — The Community College of the Air Force was established in 1972 to recognize academic achievements for technical training by Air Force schools. It awards an associate in applied science degree to enlisted members of the active-duty Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command who have completed the course…

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Commentary

AF Study: Why Airmen remain in the Service

Posted July 24, 2015 by Commentary by Capt. Renea Skelton and Dr. Dennis R. Clodi, EdD. AFFOR

Southwest Asia — U.S. Air Force senior leaders are witnessing elevated retention rates due to military members remaining in the service beyond their initial service commitment.  The increase in retention rates produces challenges to enact the congressionally-mandated force reductions, which creates budget dilemmas.  By understanding the military members’ motives, budget decision makers can understand why the current…

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Commentary

Take the time to fulfill travel requirements prior to departure

Posted July 2, 2015 by Commentary by Miguel Mendez

Military members often wonder why they have to fulfill additional requirements in order to take leave outside the continental United States, whether it’s Aircraft and Personnel Automated Clearance system, theater, country clearance or other requirements put in place. Some of the responses I hear on a regular basis are: “It’s just leave, not official travel.”…

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Commentary

To do or to be? – A very good question

Posted June 26, 2015 by Commentary by Col. DANIEL SMITH

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, ARIZONA — I am a huge fan of the Air Force Core Values. For a long time, I have felt that whatever board or individual developed the values got them absolutely right. In fact, every Airman, young or … seasoned, who comes into my squadron gets to sit down with me in my…

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