Focus
In a windowless, heavily fortified room packed with rows of computer screens and phones, there are many pairs of eyes keeping watch over U.S. airspace 24 hours a day. Whether it's an American Airlines 767 flying from Seattle to Denver or a seaplane taking off from Lake Washington, if it's west
Focus
While deployments often force airmen to miss important family milestones and celebrations, that won't be the case for Maj. Esther Aubert this time around. Aubert, a reservist with the 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, will deploy to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, for four months in a little more than a week. Aubert will
Focus
Though she's successfully helped hundreds of veterans overcome their struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder over the course of her long career, Dr. Bridget Cantrell still cherishes the moments when patients share their testimony with her. "It's a really powerful experience," said Cantrell, who runs a private practice in Bellingham and is
News Articles
With nearly 20 million people suffering and homeless and nearly one fifth of the country of Pakistan underwater due to widespread flooding, two McChord Field C-17 Globemaster III aircrews sprang into action Monday to help with the United States' humanitarian relief efforts. One aircrew from the 62nd Airlift Wing and another
Business News
Rod Wittmier is quite familiar with how Vietnam War veterans were treated when they set foot back on American soil. "We know they were not welcomed home ever," said Wittmier, founder and executive director of VetsMeetVets. Wittmier also knows there is a large contingency of Vietnam vets in the South Sound that
Business News
The large, canopy-like structure supported by what looks like scaffolding sits in Thom Browne's backyard of his Lacey home, creating an inviting scene for shelter from the sun at an outdoor barbecue. But in actuality, it's something that has the potential to save an undetermined amount of servicemembers' lives at forward
Focus
It started as a private time when a commander and his first sergeant could free themselves from distractions and catch up on the issues affecting airmen in their squadron. It turned into a sweeping movement that changed lives, lifted morale, trimmed pounds from waistlines and changed the way some look at
Focus
When Madigan Army Medical Center Commander Col. Jerome (Jerry) Penner III brought up the idea of forming some kind of singing group at the hospital, his leadership didn't know quite what to think. "My senior leaders were like, ‘This guy has lost his mind,'" Penner said with a smile. Inspired by the
Business News
From shipping a pizza across the country to a deploying soldier to helping a group of deployed Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldiers set up a remote location complete with signage and uniforms, it's evident Farrelli's Wood Fire Pizza cares about its local military customer base. And that dedication and customer service has
Focus
Raymond Bunk prides himself on being a blue-collar guy. But like so many others in his shoes, Bunk has been affected personally with the downturn of the real estate market, and he's also felt what it's like to take a pay cut - all while feeling that the middle class in
News Articles
Joint Base Lewis-McChord officials inducted three members of the local community into the installation's Civilian Hall of Fame Aug. 5 in a ceremony at the American Lake Community Center. Vicky Mohler, Michael Fried and Denise Dhane were selected by senior I Corps and installation officers for induction due to their outstanding
Focus
Growing up an Air Force brat and moving nearly every two years, Maj. Brian Bergren never really got the opportunity to put down roots anywhere. He's making up for that now, both literally and figuratively. Bergren, a guardsman with the Western Air Defense Sector at McChord Field, and his wife, Hillary, operate
Business News
Having spent four years in the U.S. Coast Guard, mynetworkcompany.com CEO Darrel Bowman knows a thing or two about what qualities servicemembers need to execute missions successfully. And he's a firm believer that veterans who come out of the Armed Forces with those instilled attributes also make great employees at mynetworkcompany.com,
Focus
McChord Field's Airmen Against Drunk Driving program now has a new tool in its toolbox, adding another resource to help the program work to continue to prevent alcohol related incidents among airmen. Lakewood Ford is donating a Ford Windstar minivan and the Pierce Military Business Alliance, McChord Officers' Spouses Club and
Focus
Since suffering a near fatal bomb blast in 2003 in Iraq, 1st Sgt. Dean Lockhart has proven many doctors wrong during his long recovery process. They told him he wouldn't live. He did. They told him he wouldn't run. He did. They told him and his wife they wouldn't be able to conceive
Military Life
Like any good creative writer, Mariah Bellamoroso simply took what she saw around her and weaved it into a story. During a recent outing to Pike Place Market in Seattle, the 15-year-old saw an inspiring encounter between a street musician and someone watching him perform. The wheels started turning in Bellamoroso's
Veterans
Take one step inside Peggy Walther's home and there's no mistaking what her favorite holiday is. "My granddaughter calls me the red, white and blue grandma," said the 82-year-old Walther, who taught elementary school in the Clover Park School District for 21 years. The Lakewood resident's white kitchen is filled with red,
Schools
Even teachers and principals are willing to admit during the final week of school there is often very little learning going on. But that's not necessarily the case this year at Carter Lake Elementary School on JBLM-McChord Field. This week school staff members hosted Camp Eagle, an outdoor learning camp that provided
Focus
Surrounded by a crowd of soldiers, veterans and volunteers, golf legend Jack Nicklaus graciously signed golf balls, hats, books and pretty much whatever was handed to him Tuesday morning at American Lake Veterans Golf Course. The 18-time major championship winner took time to sign autographs and pose for pictures with the
Veterans
Peggy Walther swears she has patriotism running through her veins. At least that's what she tells people. "I was over at Madigan the other day, and I told them if they test my blood it comes out red, white and blue," the 82-year-old former schoolteacher said with a laugh. Walther, a member of