• 2013 Combined Federal Campaign kicks off Sept. 30

    When one of our kids was 7 years old, he was having a squirrelly night. We sat down for dinner and he was headed for trouble.We warned him that if he didn't settle down, there would be serious consequences, including no Wii for the evening. But he did not settle down.I said to my son, "OK, no Wii

  • Commanders need authority to deal with misconduct

    The two courts-martial held in August at Vance Air Force Base tell us many things.First, Vance AFB is not immune from sexual misconduct or criminal behavior.Second, the American military justice system is working.People accused of crimes, like sexual assault, are due a vigorous defense. There was no

  • Vance airman pleads guilty to sexual acts with a child, lewd conduct

    A 19-year-old Vance airman was convicted of committing a sexual act on a child under the age of 16 during a general court-martial held here Aug. 30.Airman 1st Class Keith Jones was also convicted of committing lewd acts on a different child under the age of 16.He was sentenced to five months of

  • Vance airman convicted of child pornography

    A 20-year-old air-traffic-control trainee was convicted of possession and distribution of child pornography during a general court-martial conducted at Vance Air Force Base, Aug. 29.Airman 1st Class Kelton Bradshaw was sentenced to 25 months confinement, a dishonorable discharge and reduction in

  • Group commander takes on burn trainer

    As water, smoke and steam burst from a window of the burning building, Col. Christopher Daniels mans a fire hose.The building is called a structural burn trainer and Daniels, the 71st Mission Support Group commander, suited up with Vance Air Force Base firefighters Aug. 29 to get a first-hand look