MASTER SERGEANT DONALD C. BRANSCUM Master Sgt. Donald C. Branscum is the first sergeant for the 452d Civil Engineer Squadron at March Air Reserve Base, Calif. He enlisted in the United States Air Force, April 1986. His first duty station was Royal Air Force Bentwaters, United Kingdom, where he served as a Tactical Maintenance Aircraft…

Los Angeles, Calif., was recently named as the number one traffic-congested city in the country. This dubious honor is no surprise to southern Californians, especially to those who commute on a daily basis. The freeways are constantly crowded, so planning driving routes around peak commute times is a way of life here in the southland….

A major earthquake has just ravaged southern California, leaving inhabitants with very limited resources. As blessings are counted, attention must now turn toward sustaining life. The most important resource you will need is water. Lack of safe drinking water can be deadly. On average, most people begin feeling the effects of dehydration after exceeding 36…

As with any major earthquake, the damage will be substantial and the recovery process lengthy. Daily routines will be severely impacted; therefore, being able to sustain basic needs, such as maintaining food and water supplies, will become significant events, requiring managing by all survivors. Now, would be a good time to examine what stored supplies…

The next phase of “Preparing to Survive” is building an emergency kit. There are many sources of information on state and federal websites that provide basic recommendations on the contents of kits; however, keep in mind these are general suggestions. A standard kit should be complimented with personal supplies that will increase your family’s chances…

Family preparation is paramount for survival during any type of major disaster. In addition to personal issues, other items require attention in the household. One of the serious outcomes of a major earthquake is flying debris. Therefore, it makes good sense to secure items in the home that may become potential hazards during such an…

WASHINGTON, D. C. — TRICARE has affordable healthcare programs available for all Air Force Reserve retirees, including “gray-area retirees” and actively-participating Air Force reservists, no matter what orders they are on. Reservists that retire before age 60 are eligible for TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage while they are in the “gray-area.” This is the waiting period…

The Eastern and Midwestern regions of the U.S. routinely deal with tornadoes and hurricanes; however, in the West, in particular Southern California, the most likely natural disaster will come from earthquakes. Unlike other disasters, earthquakes are the most unnerving because occurrences cannot be predicted. The primary focus of emergency planners is to analyze disaster scenarios…

It is the responsibility of every Airman to be aware of what substances he or she is ingesting. In some cases, power bars and health foods are not always the best choice. If the ingredients of a drink, food, or snack are questionable, a physician or pharmacist should be consulted immediately. Air Force Instruction 44-121,…

Getting fit is not just a popular New Year’s resolution; it is something we need to think about every day. Fitness is critical to the readiness, mental and physical health and productivity of our service members, but it is just as beneficial to those who are not in uniform. Today is a perfect time for…