Bush Greets Military Personnel at Wright-Patt
President George W. Bush greets U.S. military personnel on his arrival to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Ohio. White House photo by Eric Draper.

“The Air Force was critical in liberating the people of Afghanistan, the people of Iraq, and taking the fight to the enemy overseas so we do not have to face them here at home,” said Bush in his opening remarks.

The President’s speech focused on the importance of the United States continuing its military and economic aid to Iraq in order to liberate the Iraqi people and remove a regime that threatened free nations.

Air Force One touched down on the flight line at 9:40 a.m. The president was met by the commander of Air Force Materiel Command, Gen. Bruce Carlson. Prior to departing for the museum, President Bush presented the President’s Volunteer Service award to 1st Lt. Robert Goodreau, from the Aeronautical Systems Center here. President Bush also met with Staff Sgt. Juan Rodriguez Jr., from the 88th Security Forces Squadron. Sergeant Rodriguez recently was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries received while assigned to Camp Bucca, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During his speech at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, President Bush said Airmen are adding to the tradition of the great aviators honored by this museum.

Bush Delivers Speech on War on Terror at National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
President George W. Bush addresses his remarks on the Global War on Terror Thursday, March 27, 2008, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. White House photo by Eric Draper.

“The work that today’s generation is doing is every bit as challenging, every bit as noble, and every bit as vital to our security as any that came before,” the president said. “When the history of this era is written, it will show that the Air Force — and all of Americans’ Armed Forces — performed with unfailing skill and courage. It will show that the United States of America prevailed, freedom advanced, and so did peace.”

President Bush noted that military achievements in Iraq have been accompanied by a political transformation.

“It can feel like distant history, but it was only five years ago that Iraq was one of the most brutal dictatorships on Earth — a totalitarian nightmare where any election was a sham, and dissenters often found themselves buried in mass graves,” he said. “In a matter of 15 months, the Iraqi people reclaimed their sovereignty. They went on to choose an interim government, and to ratify the most democratic constitution in the Arab world. And in December 2005, 12 million Iraqis elected a government under that constitution, a display of courage that defied the terrorists, disproved the critics, and should always inspire the world.”

The president acknowledged that progress threatened to unravel in 2006, in part due to extremists using violence to create divisions among Iraqis and within the United States.

“We took a hard look at the situation, and responded with the surge,” President Bush explained. “This dramatic shift in policy had two primary goals. The first was to improve security conditions. So I ordered 30,000 additional soldiers and Marines into Iraq, and gave them a new mission: to focus on protecting the Iraqi people, and to hold the gains that had been made.

“The second goal of the surge was to open up space for political and economic progress after security returned,” he continued. “So we deployed additional civilian experts and more than doubled the number of Provincial Reconstruction Teams, with a mission to ensure that security gains were followed up by improvements in daily life.

“The surge is doing what it was designed to do,” President Bush said. “It’s helping Iraqis reclaim security and restart political and economic life. It is bringing America closer to a key strategic victory in the war against these extremists and radicals.”

He noted that Iraq wants to solidify its relationship with the United States and Iraqi leaders have requested to form a long-term strategic partnership.

Bush Addresses Crowd of Over 1,000 at Museum
President George W. Bush waves to applauding audience members following his address on the Global War on Terror Thursday, March 27, 2008, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. White House photo by Eric Draper

“This partnership would help assure Iraqis that political, economic and security cooperation between our nations will endure,” President Bush said. “This partnership would also ensure protections for American troops when the United Nations mandate for Multi-National Forces in Iraq expires in December.

“This partnership would not bind future presidents to specific troop levels,” he continued. “This partnership would not establish permanent bases in Iraq. It would be similar to partnerships that we have with Afghanistan and other free nations around the world. My administration will work to complete this strategic partnership in the coming months. The Iraqi people have chosen to stand with America against our common enemies. And it’s in our interest that we stand with them.”

In closing, President Bush said Airmen are among the many patriots who uphold America’s highest ideals

Story by John Scaggs, Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs . Edited by Beavercreek Record staff.

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The Charlie Daniels Band will be the headliner at this year’s fourth annual “Freedom’s Call” Tattoo, held Friday, June 27, on the grounds of the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Freedom’s Call Tattoo is an adaption of a time-honored military tradition that features ceremonial music, military aircraft flyovers, airpower demonstrations, static displays and evening fireworks.

This year’s event will also include an enlistment ceremony of new Air Force recruits from the Dayton area, recognition of local family support organizations, and medal presentations to active and retired Air Force servicemen and women. The event is held on the grounds adjacent to the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., and the ceremony will begin at 8 p.m.. The event is free and open to the public.

Charlie Daniels is a Popular Draw at Air Force Events
Charlie Daniels during a 2004 concert at Dyess AFB, Texas. The Charlie Daniels Band is slated to perform at the Air Force Materiel Command Tattoo June 27 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The country music artist is pictured. - U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kiley Olds

“‘In just four years, Freedom’s Call has established itself as an impressive, off-the-charts educational and patriotic event that has become a must-do summer outing for people of all ages and backgrounds,” said Col. Colleen Ryan, 88th Air Base Wing commander. “It’s an event that presents a two-fold opportunity: It joins together the base and surrounding communities to honor the men and women serving in our armed forces, and it enables citizens first-hand observation of the military capability those men and women use to fight to preserve our freedom.

Last year parking became a problem as thousands showed up for the event. This year, the parking problem has been addressed according to the colonel who sadi that over 3,000 new parking spaces are being added, provided by neighboring Wright State University. The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority is also on board, and will provide park-and-ride services from the university.

“It’s a family-oriented event,” Col. Ryan said. “There are so many activities for kids and adults, including the debut of an information and technology exhibit of military capabilities both currently employed and developed here at Wright-Patterson. We change the venue a little bit from year to year, so patrons don’t know exactly what to expect.”

In addition to the display, there will be game tents for kids, sponsor booths and local bands. Signaling the Tattoo’ s official start at 8 p.m. will be a line-up of active-inventory aircraft, led by the F-22 Raptor, which is tentatively scheduled, followed by a quick-moving multi-faceted recognition ceremony, accompanied by music provided by the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight. The Charlie Daniels Band will take the stage at 9 p.m. and play for nearly an hour before the evening concludes at 10 p.m. with one of the most dynamic fireworks displays in southwest Ohio.

For more information, visit www.wpafb.af.mil.

Story by Kathleen A.K. Lopez, 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs. Edited by Beavercreek Record staff.

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According to a recent report by the Ohio Department of Development, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is Ohio’s seventh largest employer, responsible for employing an estimated 18,260 people.

The report went on to say that at 8,145 acres, Wright-Patterson is also the largest employer at a single site in the entire state. Of the 18,260 employed at the base, 10,690 are civilian workers and 7,570 are military personnel.

View of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
A wide view of some of the main buildings at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. The entire base itself occupies 8,145 acres. Photo © Craig Barhorst

Wal-Mart is the state’s largest employer with approximately 52,000 employees at its 172 retail operations and four distribution centers. The report said that while many of its employees are part time, the Wal-Mart presence is felt in every community across the state. Three other national retailers made the top ten including Kroger with 36,500 employees, Bob Evans with 17,500 and Meijer with 16,300. Both Kroger and Bob Evans are also headquartered in Ohio.

Growth at Wright-Patterson and the Air Force Museum
A view in 2002 of construction on the additional hanger added to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patt. Photo © Craig Barhorst

Below is a list of the top 10 employers in the state of Ohio according to the Ohio Department of Development. Ranking, company name, headquarters location and number of employees in Ohio are included.

Source: Major Ohio Employers, March 2008. Issued by the Policy Research & Strategic Planning division of the Ohio Department of Development.

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President George W. Bush will visit the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on March 27 to deliver a spech on the war on terror. The visit is invitation-only. The museum will be closed for the day.

The visit is part of a renewed effort by the President to explain the importance of the global war on terror and the invasion of Iraq. The series of speeches coincide with the five year anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom, which began March 19, 2003.

Bush at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 2003
Photo of President George W. Bush’s visit to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, July 4, 2003 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of flight White House Photo by Tina Hager

Bush is expected to describe the challenges faced in Iraq, pressures in Washington for withdrawal, the success of the surge and reiterate his administration’s commitment not to leave Iraq until stability is achieved.

The National Museum of the United States Air Force is the world’s largest military aviation museum featuring more than 400 aerospace vehicles amid more than 17 acres of indoor exhibit space. Thousands of personal artifacts, photographs and documents further highlight the people and events that comprise the Air Force storyline, from the beginnings of military flight to today’s war on terrorism.

The Air Force industry team responsible for providing program oversight to the F-117A stealth fighter said farewell during a ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Tuesday, March 11, 2008.

More than 350 Wright-Patt Airmen, base employees, industry partners and family members gathered for one last close-up look at the F-117 Nighthawk, which made its first flight in 1981, just months after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the 40th U.S. President.

F-117 Retired at Wright-Patt
A military and civilian audience listens to guest speakers during the F-117 Nighthawk farewell ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, March 11. The ceremony concluded with a single flyover. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt Joshua Strang

Three F-117s and Airmen from the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. were on hand to enable AFMC and Aeronautical Systems Center officials an opportunity to reflect on the jet’s legacy. The ceremony concluded with a fly-by of one jet painted red, white and blue on its belly.

“The United State Air Force developed, in partnership with industry, an airplane that has served this nation remarkably well over a quarter of a century,” General Bruce Carlson, Air Force Materiel Command commander said.

One Last Flyover
The F-117 Nighthawk taxis into position for one last flyover (top). The F-117 Nighthawk, showing colors, performs a last flyover through the fog during the conclusion of the F-117 Nighthawk farewell ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt Joshua Strang

Carlson said the Air Force decided to retire the F-117 fleet because a new generation of stealth aircraft including the B-2 Spirit, F-22 Raptor and soon-to-be-fielded F-35 Joint Strike Fighter have better capabilities, and because the F-117 is expensive to fly and maintain.

“Taking them out of service will allow us to use that money to recapitalize the Air Force,” he added.

The F-117s will be placed in storage at an airfield in the Tonopah Test Range, Nev., where the jets flew in total secrecy and only at night until November 1988. Holloman’s 49th Fighter Wing became the Nighthawk’s home in 1992.

Gen. Carlson said in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm, F-117s flew nearly 1,300 sorties over Iraq and Kuwait without a single combat loss. Nighthawk pilots flew only two percent of the total combat sorties but struck 40 percent of the most highly defended, strategic targets.

“It was a remarkable contribution to that war and all done over one of the most hostile air environments in the history of the world,” he added.

Lessons learned operating and maintaining the F-117 contributed significantly to the development of the new mix of U.S. stealth aircraft which now have vastly superior capabilities, Gen. Carlson said.

“This airplane was the foundation for low-observable technology in the United States of America,” he said.

The F-117 is nearly completely covered with a radar absorbing material which is laborious and expensive to maintain. After each mission, maintenance specialists closely examine the aircraft’s special coating to identify any needed repairs. If required, coatings are reapplied, allowed to cure, and re-inspected, said Col. George Torres Jr., commander of Holloman’s 49th Maintenance Group.

“We can do a quick turn and get these aircraft up very quickly to support operational training requirements,” said. Col. Torres. But in combat situations, extra time and attention are the rule of the day to ensure the Nighthawk’s stealth characteristics are intact.

“The aircraft won’t go out until it’s ready,” Torres added.

Few people realize the F-117 has no defensive systems or radar, said Col. John Forsythe, 49th Operations Group commander. “We depend exclusively on the stealth provided by our maintainers.”

Holloman’s pilot and maintenance teams will launch their last “4-ship” of stealth fighters on April 21, Col. Forsythe said. They will make a brief overnight stop at the F-117s logistics support center in Palmdale, Calif., for a final ceremony before retiring to Tonopah where their wings and tails removed and the aircraft stored in protective hangars. A portion of the fleet will be rapidly recallable to fly again, if ever needed.

The 49th Fighter Wing’s focus now rapidly turns toward getting ready to receive the Air Force’s newest stealthy jet, the F-22 Raptor.

Story by Derek Kaufman, 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs.

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