Air Force Lt. Col. is a White House Fellow
December 28th, 2011 | Flightlines | Posted by Markeshia Ricks
Lt. Col. Rodney Lewis is one of four military members in the 15-member 2011-2012 class of White House Fellows.
Lewis, who previously commanded the 4th Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., is a C-17A pilot who was directly responsible for the Defense Department’s only Prime Nuclear Airlift Force, which handles sensitive cargo and provides tactical C-17A crews that airdrop combat troops and supplies anywhere in the world. Prior to his command position, he was assigned to the office of Legislative Liaison, Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C., where he served as the executive to the senior general officer, according to his White House Fellows biography.
In 2004, Lewis received the bronze star for his service in Iraq, and in 2010, he was awarded the Air Force Association National Medal of Merit for his work with medically challenged children in the Pilot-for-a-Day program. Lewis holds a B.S. in human factors engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy and an M.S. in systems management with honors from the University of Southern California. He will spend the next year working in the Office of the First Lady.
The White House Fellows program, founded in 1964, is one of America’s most prestigious programs for leadership and public service. White House Fellowships provide first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the federal government. Fellows also participate in an education program consisting of roundtable discussions with renowned leaders from the private and public sectors, and trips to study U.S. policy in action both domestically and internationally. Fellowships are awarded on a strictly nonpartisan basis, according to the White House.
Tags: 4th Airlift Squadron, air force academy, c-17, joint base lewis-mcchord, White House Fellows
What’s in the stocking?
December 28th, 2011 | Air Force Offbeat Photos | Posted by David Larter
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presents a holiday stocking to Senior Airman Jeremy Roberts, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Dec. 24, 2011 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. // Master Sgt. Sonny Cohrs
So the question has to be asked: What is in a holiday stocking from the chief of staff? I assume it’s full of challenge coins and PowerPoint presentations about Air Force core values on Pentagon-use approved flash drives, but I could be wrong. Any ideas? Leave your guesses, intelligent or otherwise, in the comment section.
Also, ever wonder what the chief looks like dressed down? Now you don’t have to wonder. Click here to get the big reveal.
Tags: CSAF, Mrs. Schwartz, Norton Schwartz, photos, USAF
Air Force Marathon registration opens Jan. 1
December 27th, 2011 | Flightlines | Posted by Markeshia Ricks
If you’ve got running a race on 
the top of your list of New Year’s resolutions for 2012, you might consider running the 16th Air Force Marathon.
Registration opens at midnight Jan. 1 and to sweeten the incentive to sign up, race organizers are again offering a one-day-only special price for the race extravaganza that routinely sells out. On New Year’s Day, the full marathon will be $75 and the half marathon will be $60. The 10K will be $35 and the 5K will be $20.
“We’ve offered special pricing on January 1st for the last few years and it has helped get our registration off the starting blocks quickly,” said marathon director Molly Louden in a news release. “I think our incredibly fast sellout last year will only help speed it along. People know they can’t wait too late if they want a spot.”
Prices for the full and half go up $10 on Jan. 2, while the two shorter distances go up $5. Prices will rise again on April 2 and June 2.
An additional 1,500 spots were added to the 2012 race to accommodate about 15,000 runners, but race officials still anticipate another sellout year, according to the news release. Race day is Sept. 15.
For more information see www.usafmarathon.com.
Home for the holidays
December 21st, 2011 | Flightlines | Posted by Blair Tomlinson
Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport was a sea of green tiger stripe camo yesterday morning. The men and women of the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq, the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing, the 368th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group and the 467th Air Expeditionary Group arrived home just in time for the holidays.
Colbert to Odierno: With all due respect, you can go to hell
December 15th, 2011 | Flightlines Iraq Video | Posted by Blair Tomlinson
“Didn’t we make a bet that you said when we finally came out of Iraq you’d let me shave your head one more time?” General Raymond Odierno asked Stephen Colbert, during Odierno’s second appearance on the Colbert Report.
“No we did not!” Colbert said grinning ear to ear with an audience cheering in the background “DO IT , DO IT , DO IT!”
Giggling, Colbert said, “Unless the President is about to appear on that screen behind you, with all do respect you can go to hell.” (at about the 4 minute mark)
Gen. Odierno and Colbert also brushed up on the end of the Iraq war, hiring veterans and yes, bestiality.
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Ray Odierno | ||||
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Signing off or should I say singing off, the duo sang a rendition of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” in honor of the troops.
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Ray Odierno & Stephen Colbert - "I'll Be Home for Christmas" | ||||
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Photo: An airman’s best friend
December 15th, 2011 | Air Force Iraq Photos | Posted by David Larter
Senior Airman Stephen Hanks, 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler and Geri, a 3-year-old patrol explosive detector dog, take a break after a hard day of training in their kennel at Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 9. Geri is one of two military working dogs left in Iraq today. // Credit: Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo
Tags: air force, airman, dog handler, Military working dog
Academy Superintendent to Join Order of the Sword
December 13th, 2011 | Flightlines | Posted by Markeshia Ricks
Air Force Academy Superintendent Mike Gould will become the 234th person inducted into the Order of the Sword.
The enlisted corps of the academy invited Gould, who has served as superintendent since June 2009, to join the order during a Dec. 13 ceremony, according to academy public affairs.
The award was established by Military Airlift Command’s enlisted corps in 1967 and is presented to individuals whom the noncommissioned corps chooses to honor. It also is the highest recognition enlisted airmen can bestow upon a senior leader, according to the academy.
Gould is scheduled to be inducted March 19.
Tags: air force academy, Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, NCOs, Order of the Sword
Who needs a sleigh?
December 9th, 2011 | Air Force Offbeat | Posted by Brian Everstine
Col. Santa Claus, er, Terry Scott, deputy commander of the 3rd Operations Group at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, waves at visiting children from the cockpit of an F-22 Raptor on Dec. 8. (Photo: Staff Sgt. Zachary Wolf/Air Force)
In the Stairwell performs in the White House
December 9th, 2011 | Flightlines | Posted by Markeshia Ricks
The Air Force Academy’s A cappella group In the Stairwell went all ‘Sing Off’ at a White House holiday reception Dec. 8, 2011. Didn’t get your invitation? Check out In the Stairwell in action. Don’t miss the cadet that gets his human beat box on in the beginning. Doug E. Fresh would be proud.
Tags: air force academy, Doug E. Fresh, In the Stairwell, Sing Off
Desktop background refresh
December 7th, 2011 | Air Force Airframes Photos | Posted by David Larter
If your desktop background needs a little shake-up, these awesome Air Force photos might be up to the task. To download the high-res versions click on the photo.
