Here is a first-person article by The (Olympia, Wash.) Olympian reporter Scott Gutierrez, who flew with aircrews from McChord AFB, Wash., on a trip to Southwest Asia. Gutierrez got to spend a week with the McChord aircrews as they flew cargo into and around the theater, stopping at Balad AB, Iraq, where he visited the combat hospital and spoke with US troops—more upbeat than not—and Iraqis working with the coalition.
Active-Duty Airmen must ensure they have a waist-to-height ratio assessment in their official record within the next two weeks, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said in a July 13 letter to the force focused on physical fitness and appearance standards.