Air Force event focuses on airpower

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WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Oh. --  The celebration of the 67th anniversary of the Air Force is scheduled for Sept. 26 at the Air Force Institute of Technology's Kenney Hall, Bldg. 642 in Area B from 10 a.m. to noon. This event is hosted by Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Business and Enterprise Systems Directorate, and the guest speaker is Dr. Thomas Crouch, senior curator, National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution.

Crouch is a Dayton native and is one of the most distinguished early aviation historians in the country. Recognizing that 2014 marks the centennial of the start of World War I, Crouch will present a briefing on the evolution of U.S. airpower from WWI to the present.

 Also attending will be representatives from each major conflict of the past century:

› WWI: Mary Muller (daughter of WWI aviator from Dayton, Lt. Stephen Thompson)

› WWII: Andy Stanley (retired master sergeant, gunner and prisoner of war)

› Korea: Donald Porter (retired master sergeant, crew chief for fighter ace Col. "Gabby" Gabreski)

› Vietnam: Ron Schloemer (retired colonel, F-4 pilot, Operation Igloo White)

› Cold War: Scott Siglar (retired captain, Minuteman Missileer)

› Gulf War: Tom Bell (retired colonel, F-117 test pilot)
  
› Iraq/Afghanistan: Staff Sgt. Jason Benedict (C-17 load-master)

› Current: Col. Bryan Davis (commander, 178th Reconnaissance Group, Predator Operations) and Capt. Scott Anderson (AFIT cyber-warfare instructor)

Following the briefing, there will be a POW/MIA Honor Table ceremony and an Air Force anniversary cake-cutting event, which offers the opportunity to gain a glimpse into how the Air Force evolved     while celebrating the anniversary with both veterans who served and those who continue to serve today. ceremony Wreath-laying planned

Activities for the POW/ MIA Recognition Day start at 4:30 p.m. The Wright-Patterson Air Force base   Chief 's Group is sponsoring a POW/MIA wreath-laying ceremony at the Arnold House (Bldg. 8) in Area A. This annual event honors the more than 83,000 Americans missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War and the 1991 Gulf War. This is an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of American prisoners of war, those who are missing and their families.  

As noted on the POW/ MIA flag, the event highlights the country's commitment that "You are Not Forgotten."

Guest speaker for the event will be Col. John Devillier, 88th Air Base Wing commander. Following the Arnold House ceremony, the base will conduct a formal retreat led by the 88th Communications Group at the base flagpole in front of the 88 ABW headquarters, Bldg.   10, Area A.

All events are open to base personnel including military, civilian, retirees, their families and friends. Participation is highly encouraged.

Point of contact for the Air Force anniversary event at AFIT is Robert Kasprzak, 937-904-0698. POC for the Wright-Patterson AFB POW/MIA Recognition Day events is Senior Master Sgt. Matt Brown, 937-257-4073.