Table of Contents Current Events 2 3 4 5-6 7 8
March - April Edition - Spring 2013
Mustache March Women’s History Month Wing ORI & GAMA Cup Fort Benning Wing ELP Dining Out President’s Day Parade
Air Force Heritage 9
POW/MIA Spotlight: Edward Mechenbier 10-11 X-Planes: The XB-70
Entertainment 12 13 14 15
“Is It Safe?” Aircraft Word Search Air Force Humor Boredom Busters!
Lifestyle 16 16 16 17
Study Tips Abdominal Workout Chart Workout Playlist General Mark Welsh III Quote
Arnold Air Society/Silver Wings 18-19 NATCON
Cadet Profiles
20-21 Field Training Selectees & CTAs
Air Force Life
22 Nellis AFB 23 1st Reconaissance Sq.
c i l P u b i rs Affag ht Fli
Jessica McKibben Ashley Robinson Winston Atnip Stephen Chappel
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Mustache March Mustache March
Brigadier General Robin Olds
is an annual event occurring in the month of March, where young men in the United States grow mustaches for amusement and to raise money for charity. The idea stems from an early Air Force tradition in which members of the U.S. Air Force would grow mustaches in good-natured protest against facial hair regulations during the month of March. The act of growing a mustache as a gesture of defiance against dogmatic leadership is attributed to U.S. Air Force triple-ace Robin Olds who grew an extravagantly waxed handlebar mustache which did not comply with U.S. Air Force regulations.
Det 005’s h rc a M e h c Mus ta Winner: is n n e D n Kevi
#stacheprobs
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Women’s History Month
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arch was Women’s History Month in the Air Force and throughout the nation. It is a time to remember the sometimes overlooked female airmen who have contributed greatly to the accomplishments of our vision. One of these is women’s aviation pioneer, Betty “Tack” Blake. Now ninety-one years old, Blake is believed to be the only surviving graduate of the first Women’s Airforce Service Pilot training class during World War II. She became a member of the famous WWII all female aviation unit Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) when her unit, Women’s Flying Training Detachment, merged with the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron on Aug. 5, 1943. The WASP ferried fighters and bombers from the factories where they were built to front line military bases for the majority of the war, until a more effiecient means of transporting the planes could be set up. WASP was deactivated in Dec 1944 after flying 60 million miles and suffering 38 casualties. Its members were officially recognized as veterans in 1977 and issued honorary discharges in 1979.
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Wing ORI
GAMA Cup Det 005 Performance: 3rd Place overall 1st - frisbee 2nd - soccer 2nd - 5K 2nd - basketball 3rd - football 3rd - volleyball 4
Wing ELP
Fort Benning LRC
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Wing ELP
Fort Benning LRC
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Dining Out
The Spring 2013 Dining Out was held at the Robert Trent Jones Grand National Hotel on April 13. Cadets, Silver Wings, friends, and family all came to honor the Cavemen as they prepare to commission.
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President’s day Parade
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M
Edward Mechenbier
aj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier was born during the height of World War II in Morgantown, WV on 29 June 1942. He enrolled in the Air Force Academy in 1960 and commissioned on time four years later. Originally assigned to an F-4C squadron in England, it was not long before he was transferred to the 390th TFS, flying the Phantom out of Da Nang, Vietnam. This was December of 1966.
On 14 June 1967, on his 80th mission over North Vietnam, Lieutenant Mechenbier was shot down during a strike mission on a railroad yard thirty miles northeast of Hanoi. His callsign was Chisel 04. He describes the event in his own words: "The aircraft right engine exploded simultaneous with lighting the afterburner pulling off the target. Soon the fire burned through the hydraulic system for the ailerons, and the aircraft entered a series of six snap rolls to the right, which I could almost stop with full left rudder. But with each roll, the nose lowered until it was 45 degrees below the horizon and gaining speed. The last I saw was 620 KIAS when we decided it was not going to recover." "I owe my life to Kevin [McManus, his backseater]. I was wrestling with the airplane, trying to make it fly, as would any fighter pilot, when this calm voice from about five feet behind me said, “Ed, I don’t think we’re going to make it.” That brought me to reality and I said, “Bail out Kevin, bail out.” He paused and we went practically simultaneously, as I had always told him, if he heard the second “bailout” he would be solo. He paused long enough to say, “Sayonara” and we went simultaneously, inverted, according to the other aircraft, ejecting out of the orange fireball that had completely engulfed the aircraft. Everything happened in slow motion. The aircraft reportedly hit the ground at 620 KIAS before our chutes opened. So, we came very close to riding it in, and it was only Kevin’s comment that moved me to give the Bail Out command." Mechenbier was captured almost immediately and spent the next five years, eight months, and four days in captivity. During ejection and captivity he suffered crushed vertebrae, dislocated shoulders, and broken teeth. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier was awarded two Silver Stars, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze star with V, two Purple Hearts, Meritorious Service Medal, 9 Air medals and the P.O.W. medal. He retired in 2004 at the age of sixty-two, after having reached the mandatory retirement age for his rank. Gen. Mechenbier served his country for forty-four years.
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XB-70A
valkyrie
During the 1950s, the prevailing bomber philosophy within USAF Strategic Air Command was “higher, faster, further.” Surface-to-air missiles were still in their infancy, and anti-aircraft artillery had a very limited effective altitude. Consequently, the only viable means of defense against enemy strategic bombers were interceptor aircraft. If a bomber could fly above the interceptors’ ceiling, then it could move and strike with virtual impunity.
Enter the B-70 Valkyrie, North American Aviation’s answer to a 1957 Air Force operational requirement for a bomber with a cruising speed of over Mach 3, an over-target altitude of more than 70,000 feet, a range of over 10,500 miles, and a maximum weight of 490,000 lbs. In 1958, NAA was declared the winner of the contest over Boeing, and a contract was issued for phase one of the project.
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Despite a number of innovative aerodynamic features, the winds of change were blowing in the world of air defense, strategic bombing philosophy, and nuclear delivery technology. First and foremost, the advent of the ICBM had removed part of the need for decisive bomber superiority. Second, due to more advanced Soviet SAMs, new SAC nuclear delivery theory involved high-speed, low-altitude penetration by supersonic bombers like the B-58 Hustler. The Valkyrie, which was meant to succeed the B-52 as the USAF’s main long-range bomber, had been designed from the ground up to perform well at extremely high altitudes. Below its prime cruising altitude, it offered only a marginal improvement on the airframe that it was meant to replace, and so the Air Force deemed the B-70 unworthy of their investment.
Only two prototypes of the Valkyrie were created before the project’s cancellation. They were both experimental and carried the designation XB- 70A. The two planes completed a total of 127 flights, though the second prototype, AV-2, as it was known, was destroyed in a midair collision with an F-104 Starfighter in 1966. The remaining XB-70 was retired in February 1969 and now resides in the National Museum of the United States Air Force at
Wright-Patterson AFB, near Dayton, Ohio.
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“Is It Safe?”
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Word Search
AIRC RAF T
Thunderbolt Spirit Reaper Demon Raptor Sentry Tomcat Black Widow Lancer Globemaster Eagle Banshee
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Strike Eagle Galaxy Hornet Predator Valkyrie Stratofortress Lightning Cobra
Air Force Humor
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Boredom Busters! Start
Finish
Follow this link to learn how to fold an awesome origami eagle! http://www.angelfire.com/ks3/origamikong/Photo_diagrams_Eagle2.html
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Lifestyle
F it n e s s
Swimsuit Season is coming up! Wanna work on that pesky midsection? Here are 40 ways to work out your core! Just add a mix of these into your regular cardio and calisthenic routine. The variety will keep all of your muscles engaged and will prevent your workout from being boring!
You know what would be great to go with those ab workouts? An awesome workout playlist! Try this one to keep yourself in a steady pace and motivated! 1. California Love – 2Pac – 4:44 2. Cinderella Man – Eminem – 4:38 3. A Millie – Lil Wayne – 4:40 4. Right Above It – Drake – 4:32 5. Hello – Martin Solveig & the Dragonettes – 4:41 6. Reptile’s Theme – Skrillex – 3:56 7. Turn the Page – Metallica – 6:06 8. Sail – AWOLNATION – 4:19 9. Robot Rock – Daft Punk – 4:47 10. Bang A Rang – Skrillex – 3:36
11. Gold Dust – DJ Fresh (Flux Pavilion Remix) – 2:20 12. Promises – Nero – 4:17 13. I’m Shipping Up To Boston – Dropkick Murphys – 2:33 14. Good Good Night – Roscoe Dash – 3:25 15.Immigrant Song – Led Zeppelin – 2:27 16. Harlem Shake – Bauer – 3:16 17. Rock N’ Roll – Skrillex – 4:35 18. Figure 8 – Ellie Goulding – 4:07 19. Stronger – Kanye West – 5:14 20. Some Nights – Fun. – 4:37
**Disclaimer: Most of these songs have an original/explicit version and a radio edit/clean version. Read the title carefully before buying if you have a preference over which you listen to.**
Study Tips
With the end of the semester and final exams rapidly approaching, it is important that we all make the most of our time, while also taking good care of ourselves. Here are some study tips to help you out. Good luck!
1) Your brain cannot absorb, retain, or analyze information for more than 50 minutes at a time. To get the most out of your study session, study for 45 minutes, then take a 15 minute study break. 2) During your study breaks, it’s best to completely change what you’re doing so your brain is forced to focus on something besides your study material. Try coloring a coloring page, listening to music, watching TV, or solving the puzzles in this Eaglet! The idea is that you want to do something visually demanding, but that requires little brain power. 3) Research has shown that listening to classical music while studying helps minimize stress levels and helps you retain information better. Contact PA Flight if you would like a copy of an excellent classical playlist. 4) Another great way to keep your body and mind energized during a long study session is to do some exercise during your study breaks. Grab a dance partner in the library and get moving! 5) Proper rest is essential to information processing and retention. Get at least 6 hours of sleep each night, and no more than 9. Eight hours a night is considered the best amount to keep your brain functioning at 100%. 6) You need to fuel your body in order to fuel your mind. It’s best to eat about 6 small snacks throughout the day to keep your body performing well. 7) If you’re stressed over a large amount of tasks that you have, write them down, along with any important thoughts or directions you’re storing in your mind. If you make lists of the things you have to accomplish, your brain will be able to relax because it no longer has to worry about forgetting them and you’ll be able to rest better. 8) Work together and remain positive! A little levity goes a long way. Working in a group is a great method of accountability and support.
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Arnold Air - Silver Wings Atlanta, Georgia:
T
his year’s Arnold Air-Silver Wings national conclave was an immense success, thanks in large part to our own AAS/ SW National Staffs! Arnold Air Society National Commander AAS C/Brig Gen Kevin Long and Silver Wings National President Miss Kelsey Cardinal oversaw the proceedings. Attendees participated in society affairs, including choosing a new Joint National Project, electing a new National Staff, and choosing the location of next year’s NATCON. Everone also enjoyed a formal military dinner, speeches given by Gen Richard Meyers and Brig Gen Richard Bundy, and the fabulous Atlanta nightlife.
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HOTLANTACON
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Walter Brush
Erin Callahan
Leigh Ellen Cannon
Daniel Cartin
Congrats!
Brian Booth
Congratulations to everyone who was selected to go to Field Training this summer! Det 005 wishes you the best of luck!
TJ Conwell
WAR EAGLE!
Daniel Barnes “I expect Field Training this summer to be a huge learning experience. I will be shadowing an officer for 7 weeks which is an opportunity that most do not get in ROTC. I love the training side of this program which is why I wanted to be a CTA. I get to impact cadets from around the country and help develop them into the POC/Officers that they will be, and that alone is worth the more than 17 hours days and minimal sleep that is required for the job.”
Cole Finnerty
Stephen Faist
CTA, In-Garrison MAX 4, 5 & 6
John Marshall CTA, CSJFTC MAX 1, 2 & 3
“I foresee this summer as being one of the greatest leadership exercises of my career so far. I’ll have the chance to learn from dozens of high quality officers and other CTAs from around the country and will have the opportunity to impact and further develop cadets under high stress situations. Sleep will be optional this summer. Intensity will not. Bring on FTU 1!”
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Christopher Gericke
Nathan Green
Stephen Hindman
Aaron Holliman
Hailey James
Peter Last
Tyler McCafferty
Leandra Milton
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Evan Oren
Bodio Popoola
Roberto Sanchez
Aaron Sanderson
Willy Steers
Brandon Thomas
Philip Warden
David Woodard
Nellis AFB L
Las Vegas, NV
ocated outside of Las Vegas, NV, Nellis Air Force Base was originally built in 1941 as the Las Vegas Army Air Field. It was renamed Nellis AFB in 1950 after Lt. William Nellis, who was from the Las Vegas area and was a P-47 Thunderbolt pilot in WWII. He was shot down on 27 December 1944 outside Bastogne. During WWII, the base trained bomber crews to fly both the B-17 Flying Fortress and, later in the war, the B-29 Superfortress. It was briefly deactivated after the end of the war, but two years later was reactivated. It has served continuously ever since. Today, Nellis AFB is one of the largest bases in the Air Force. Falling under the purview of Air Combat Command, it also has more units assigned to it than any other single base. This is due to its mission as the premier advanced air combat training facility. The 57th Wing is the main operational element on the base; it encompasses the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds”, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, 414th Combat Training Squadron (Red Flag), 547th Intelligence Squadron and the 549th Combat Training Squadron (Green Flag-West). Tenant units also include the Air Force Reserve Command and two Red Horse squadrons, the 820th and the 555th.
An F-22 and an F-15 pull into a verticle climb above Nellis’ Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR).
A C-130 participates in a mobility training excercise.
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Air Force Life 1st Reconnaissance Squadron
B
eale AFB, 9th Operations Group: The oldest unit in the Air Force turns 100 this year. The 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, created in 1913 under the moniker “1st Aero Squadron,” was the US Army’s first official air combat unit. It first saw combat in 1916 under the orders of Gen. John J. Pershing when it was tasked to support the efforts of the Army in capturing the Mexican bandit, Pancho Villa. Since then, the airmen of the 1st Recon have flown 47 separate airframes. The unit has changed its name fourteen times and served in more than 50 locations globally. It has also been involved in some of our nation’s most famous historical engagements. From Chateau Thierrey and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of 1917, to the firebombing of Tokyo in 1945, to the SR-71 flights of Vietnam and later, the squadron has distinguished itself at home and abroad. Today, the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron is the formal training unit for the U-2 and the RQ-4 Global Hawk.
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