Air Force blue meets Cardinal red

Published Aug. 7, 2006
By TSgt Sabrina Foster
375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

ST. LOUIS -- The first event in the inaugural Air Force Week kicked off Sunday in downtown St. Louis at the St. Louis Cardinals versus the Milwaukee Brewers baseball game.

The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, selected St. Louis to host the first Air Force Week because of its tremendous civic support, longstanding relationships with the military, and its proximity to Scott Air Force Base.

Gen. Norton Schwartz, the United States Transportation Command commander, agrees that the Air Force Week activities should begin here.

"It's appropriate in a city like this, as devoted to the defense of the nation as St. Louis is, that it should start here," said the general.

Pre-game ceremonies included an honorary first pitch thrown out by Airman 1st Class Rebecca Blascak, 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operator.

Airman Blascak had mixed emotions when she found out she had been selected to throw out the ceremonious ball.

"I was excited and nervous at the same time. I am very honored to have been chosen, and just overwhelmed overall," said Airman Blascak.

Airman Blascak recently returned from a 7-month deployment to Iraq. During her time there, she was a convoy operator. The experience will always be one that she will never forget.

"It was an awesome experience. I enjoyed every minute of it," said Airman Blascak.
"I am proud to be an Airman in the United States Air Force," she added.

Other pre-game events included a presentation to the Build-A-Bear founder, Maxine Clark, by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley.

Chief McKinley presented Ms. Clark a Build-A-Bear that was flown over the stadium the previous night aboard a stealth B-2 bomber.

After the playing of the National Anthem, two F-15 fighter jets from the 131st Fighter Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard flew passed over the field.

"It was perfect that the airplanes arrived just on que," said General Schwartz. "I think that just reflects the precision and reliability that all folks in all services practice on a daily basis."

At any given time, more than 30,000 Airmen are deployed, in the air and on the ground, improving the safety of and quality of life for people around the globe. That number includes more than 1,500 Airman from units in the greater St. Louis area.

"We have youngsters who are superb and they serve in a dedicated fashion. It's really a privilege to be a part of the team," said the general.

The Air Force thanks the greater St. Louis area for its continued support of our men and women.

"It's such a good thing - Busch Stadium here and the largest St. Louis area welcoming our Airmen," said General Schwartz.

"It's a great thing to be stationed in the greater St. Louis area," he said.

Other Air Force Week events include the signing of an Air Force Week proclamation by St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay at City Hall, a visit to the St. Louis Science Center by NASA astronaut Lt. Col. Terry Virts, and special recognition of Air Force servicemembers at a Gateway Grizzlies Game on Tuesday.