An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Air Force Week 2006 celebrates service's past, present, future

  • Published
  • By Jason Yaley
  • Air Force Public Affairs
ST. LOUIS --  In a true testament to the United States Air Force vision of "Lasting Heritage...Limitless Horizons," the successful inaugural Air Force Week brought together Airmen of the past, present and future to celebrate the Air Force's rich history and promising future. With the historic Gateway Arch of St. Louis as a backdrop, Air Force Week 2006 events ranging from flyovers of Busch Stadium to a lecture by a current Air Force Astronaut at the St. Louis Science Center allowed the Air Force to meet with citizens young and old across the community and say thank you for their continual support of our nation's Airmen.

Air Force Week 2006 kicked off Saturday night as a B-2 from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., flew over Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. The following day, the Cardinals joined Airmen in celebrating Air Force Week with a celebration of the world's greatest air and space force. Events began with Airman 1st Class Rebecca Blascak of the 375th Airlift Wing's Logistics Readiness Squadron joining General Norton Schwartz, commander of U.S. Transportation Command, and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley to throw out the first pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals.

During the game's opening ceremony, Chief McKinley also presented a member of the St. Louis community with "Ace," an Air Force themed teddy bear flown on the previous night's B-2 flyover. The ceremony concluded with two F-15 Eagles roaring over the field at the conclusion of the national anthem. Throughout the game, messages were played from local Airmen currently deployed around the globe cheering on the Cardinals and thanking the community for their continued support of the Air Force as it continues to play an integral role in the Global War on Terrorism.

Air Force Week events continued downtown the following morning as Lewis Lynch and Dr. John P. Morgan, both of the Hugh J. White Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen joined St. Louis Mayor Frances Slay and leaders from local Air Force components to officially proclaim the week as Air Force Week in the city of St. Louis. The proclamation thanked members of the Total Force, citing "We owe them our unwavering support in their resolute effort to ensure that our values and our way of life are not destroyed; and Whereas, I encourage all citizens to join me in showing our gratitude to all members of the United States Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve who have served and are now serving our Country."

That evening, Col. Alan Hunt, commander of the 375th Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., joined Air Force Lt. Col. Terry Virts, a NASA Astronaut, to throw out the first pitch at an Air Force themed Gateway Grizzlies baseball game. The balls used for the first pitch were previously signed by the Grizzlies and flown around the world with members of the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston AFB, S.C., as they delivered support and humanitarian aid to eight countries. Following the pitch, Colonel Hunt cheered on the Grizzlies and welcomed Staff Sgt. Albert Williams, a member of the Air Force Band of Mid-America at Scott AFB, to the field to sing the national anthem. The anthem concluded with a flyover from a C-17 Globemaster from the 58th Airlift Squadron from Altus AFB. Fans young and old also had the chance to get an autograph from Lt. Col. Virts and to learn more about Air Force opportunities from members of the Air Force Recruiting Service.

Other Air Force Week events included Maj. Robert Novotny, a fighter pilot featured in the IMAX movie "Fighter Pilot: Operation RED FLAG," and Lt. Col. Virts speaking to large audiences at the Science Center about their Air Force endeavors, and what it has truly meant to them to be a member of United States Air Force.

Dr. John P. Morgan, a member of the Hugh J. White Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, attended the events and discussed his thoughts on the importance of Air Force Weeks and the Air Force's rich heritage.

"It's like anything else...you gotta know where you came from," said Mr. Morgan, whose brother was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, in detailing his pride for how well the Air Force has developed over its history. Dr. Morgan, who retired as a colonel after 28 years of Air Force service, also cited how proud he was of the brave men and women that comprise the U.S. Air Force, discussing how the "people make the force." Today's Air Force leadership has made it a top priority to develop and care for the Airmen of the total force, encompassing active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen.

Air Force Week 2006 concludes this weekend with an open house and Airfest at Scott AFB featuring the Air Force Thunderbirds, fighter and transport flyovers, parachute jumps, and numerous other displays and demonstrations.

St. Louis and its surrounding communities embraced the Blue and provided a venue to truly celebrate the United States Air Force. Future Air Force Weeks will build on the success of Air Force Week 2006 by continually recognizing the Air Force's lasting heritage while aspiring to its limitless horizons.