Hilltop Commentary

In 1925, as more people were becoming interested in controlled powered flight, the United States was one of the nations without formal policies regarding civilian aviation. While new airlines were being introduced, Henry Ford saw significant potential in commercial transportation and focused on that aspect of aviation. As he was forming an air transportation company, Ford took over the Stout Aircraft Co. Its engineers were designing an improved aircraft, one with an all-metal design that promised to be more reliable than those of wood, canvas, wire and glue.

Question: I have used the chain of command and can't get an answer other than "I don't know." My question is why isn't random drug testing applicable to all base civilian personnel? I am alarmed that so very few civilians are being tested. Drug testing is a wonderful tool to weed out security risks and impaired decision making. It ensures a safe and healthy work environment.

I am writing this news article, which it hurts to have to write.

Since my arrival two months ago, we have been fighting drug use issues, so I thought I'd share with you an update.

This week we sent the first of the many soon-to-come Airmen out of the Air Force and off the installation as a civilian for the use of Spice.

Courageous pilots taking off into clouds without knowing when the clouds would break, flying through rain and snow while being pelted in the face, flying without any type of guide or any communication with ground personnel, crashing due to weather or engine loss resulting in loss of life, running into and killing livestock in attempts at safe crash landings, and many other heroics and accomplishments are all part of the history of the pioneers of the U.S. airmail.

Over the past few months we witnessed several lapses in personal and organizational accountability within the command. In light of these disappointments, I want to re-emphasize our Air Force "Core Values." I expect all Air Force Materiel Command members, military and civilian, to embody "Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do."

We cannot accomplish our mission without this focus on integrity, service and excellence. To quote a famous coach ...

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- I'm often asked why I choose to be in the Air Force.

Some people ask to start up a conversation, others to be polite, and some genuinely wonder what compels Airmen to swear to support and defend the Constitution, put themselves in harm's way and deploy far from home.

Most people who ask are looking for a one-word answer.

We're all aware of the changes coming on line for the Air Force fitness program. Some of those changes are important and required. I've always agreed with the development of the fitness program as a way to entice (or coerce) Air Force personnel to live healthier lifestyles, acknowledging the benefits of fitness -- longevity, reduced health care costs, a sharper image. Many specialties within the Air Force, such as security forces, have necessarily carried an increased fitness requirement.