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BULLSEYE News 5June 5, 2015
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‘Challenger’ visits Airmen, families
By Airman 1st Class Mikaley Towle ing stops to Lomie G. Heard Elemen- U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mikaley Towle
tary School, 757th Aircraft Maintenance
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Squadron Eagle and Strike Aircraft Main- Challenger, a bald eagle, poses in front of an F-15 Eagle at the 757th Aircraft Maintenance
tenance Units, and the U.S. Air Force Squadron’s Eagle Aircraft Maintenance Unit on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., May 29. Challenger
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — He Warfare Center May 29. was declared a non-releasable bald eagle in 1989 due to human imprinting at a young age.
stands almost three feet tall and despite
his weighty appearance, only tips the scale “I had never seen an American bald
at approximately six pounds. He embod- eagle before and I just so happen to love
ies strength and is seen as a patriotic them,” said Master Sgt. Kara Barcomb,
symbol of freedom. 757th AMXS Eagle AMU first sergeant.
“It was a very special moment for me and it
Challenger, named in honor of the made me feel very proud to see our nation’s
space shuttle crew, is a non-releasable bald bird, which represents America’s freedom.”
eagle that makes educational appearances
throughout the country to raise awareness Challenger’s visit to Nellis AFB helped
for the now recovering species. to inspire the service members and fami-
lies that call the base home.
The bald eagle visited Nellis Air Force
Base Airmen and their families dur- “The bald eagle signifies strength and
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mikaley Towle freedom of spirit, two things exemplified “He is the first eagle in U.S. history
by the Airmen of Nellis AFB,” said Lt. Col. trained to free-fly into stadiums during
Lt. Col. Jason Forest, 53rd Test and Evaluation Group, presents Al Cecere, with a flight suit jacket Jason Forest, 53rd Test and Evaluation the singing of the Star Spangled Banner
for Challenger, a bald eagle, to commemorate his visit to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., May 29. Group deputy commander. “Bringing and has appeared at many major sporting
ChallengervisitedLomieG.HeardElementarySchool,the757thAircraftMaintenanceSquadron Challenger to Nellis inspires the patri- events over the years,” said Al Cecere,
Eagle and Strike Aircraft Maintenance Units, and the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center. otic spirit of those who work tirelessly to founder, president and CEO of the Ameri-
protect our freedoms and improve our can Eagle Foundation.
capability to win our nation’s battles in
the air, space and cyberspace.” Cecere said, there is an ongoing need
to educate every generation of Americans
Challenger also brought awareness to to care for and protect the bald eagle for
the preservation efforts being made to future generations to enjoy.
protect these creatures and their habitats.
“The bald eagle was once an endan-
“The education effect on Nellis’ children gered species and we almost lost the bald
getting up close to Challenger and experi- eagle population in the U.S. due to our
encing a bald eagle in flight close enough own ignorance and neglect,” said Cecere.
to reach, are life long,” said Forest. “They “Every generation should learn about the
will carry with them both a love of country importance of protecting wildlife and
and a love of the bald eagle that represents their ecosystems.”
it. They will share this experience with
friends and family. The experience may On May 1, 2007, the U.S. Senate
inspire some to service, protecting the na- unanimously passed a special resolution
tion that Challenger represents.” naming June 20, “National American
Eagle Day.”
Challenger was declared non-releasable
in 1989 due to human imprinting at a Editor’s note: The mention of the non-
young age. Since then, he has become a profit organization American Eagle Foun-
world famous ambassador for his species dation does not constitute endorsement or
in the wild. affiliation by Nellis Air Force Base or the
U.S. Air Force.
Headquarters Air Force A4 changes to Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection
By Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs Force to ensure we meet the challenges vironmental management, readiness and mission support long-range plan-
outlined in our leadership’s ‘A Call to the and sustainment. The directorate leads ning, strategic support planning and
WASHINGTON—As part of the Fu- Future’ 30-year strategy,” said Timothy Air Force civil engineers in providing, associated policies.
ture Air Force Organization initiatives, Bridges, the assistant deputy chief of staff for operating, maintaining and protecting
the Air Force standard office symbol logistics, engineering and force protection. sustainable installations. t4FDVSJUZ'PSDFT "4
XIJDIEFWFM-
code title for the Headquarters Air Force ops security forces policy and strategy.
A4 area of responsibility changed from Bridges said this reorganization helps t -PHJTUJDT "-
XIJDI JODMVEFT This directorate has oversight for protect-
“Logistics, Installations and Mission the A4 community build strategic agility logistics plans, logistics readiness, mu- ing Air Force resources from terrorism,
Support” to “Logistics, Engineering and to remain effective in an environment nitions and maintenance branches. The criminal acts, sabotage, acts of war and
Force Protection” May 22. that is rapidly changing and has in- directorate ensures the readiness of the ensuring security forces are trained,
creased instability and unpredictability. single largest element of manpower sup- equipped and ready to support contin-
This title change is part of an effort porting Air Force combat forces. gency and exercise plans.
aimed at better aligning the Air Force The A4 mission continues to focus on
with the joint staff organization con- strategy, policy, oversight, career field t 3FTPVSDF *OUFHSBUJPO "1
XIJDI “We must align our efforts to be able
struct and is part of ongoing Air Force management and some programming includes portfolio advocacy manage- to meet the demands of tomorrow,”
efforts to reduce overhead and achieve and budgeting within its four director- ment, information technology policy and Bridges said. “That means we must think
greater efficiencies through the Air Force ates, which are: strategy, resources, executive services, differently about what we need to do,
Installation and Mission Support Center. weapon system sustainment and logis- how we need to do it, and that may not
t $JWJM &OHJOFFST "$
XIJDI JO- tics transformation. The directorate is necessarily be the way we’ve always done
“This is a small indicator to the bigger cludes installation strategy and plans, responsible for AF logistics, installations them in the past.”
change that’s happening across the Air facility management, energy and en-
