Page 6 - Aerotech News and Review 4-1-16

Edwards represented at L.A. County Air Show

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Flight Test Squadron, and on Sunday with a
Editor pass of a B-52 Stratofortress from the 419th
Flight Test Squadron.
The Los Angeles County Air Show Board
of Directors said March 23 that the third an- The base also had a few booths set up to
nual Los Angeles County Air Show had its promote the Air Force Flight Test Museum
largest attendance yet with 137,000 spectators and to promote science, technology, engineer-
over the two-day event at General William J. ing and math (STEM).
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Next year’s air show is scheduled
Proceeds from the event will fund several for March 25-26 with the main perfor-
scholarships to regional youth and provide mance to be conducted by the U.S Air
money for the 2017 Air Show said the release. Force Thunderbirds.

Team Edwards made its presence felt with a

Air Force photographs by Melissa Buchanan 6SHFWDWRUVZDWFKDVD%ERPEHUIURPWKHWK)OLJKW7HVW6TXDGURQÀLHVE\GXULQJWKH/$
County Air Show March 20.
Above: Danny Bazzell, former Edwards AFB Civilian Military Support Group president and volunteer,
mans the Air Force Flight Test Museum booth at the L.A. County Air Show in Lancaster March 20.
Above: Right: Kelvin Verrett, 412th Test Engineering Group, shows a young spectator the group’s
traveling F-22 simulator during the L.A. County Air Show March 20. The air show had a large science,
technology, engineering and math area to promote STEM programs throughout the local area.

Veteran’s News

Tuskegee Airmen gather for 75th anniversary

CZ54HU1BUSJDL#SPXO had on the nation. tion that we’re going to continue to Air Force photograph by Trey Ward
“We’re taking this action because exist ... and hopefully inspire young-
Maxwell AFB, Ala. sters to emulate what we did,” Lump- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III is inducted as an honorary
(Welsh) has been an active proponent kin said. Tuskegee Airman during the Tuskegee Airmen Foundation’s 75th anniversary
Original members of the Tuskegee and supporter of getting the message commemoration in Montgomery, Ala., March 22, 2016.
Airmen, their families and supporters about the legacy and heritage of the Welsh joins a distinct group of
gathered in downtown Montgomery, Tuskegee Airmen out to the members honorary members including for- to wear a red jacket. I just don’t feel the Tuskegee Airmen and the youth
Ala., March 22 to commemorate the of your Air Force and the strength that mer President Bill Clinton, director worthy.” outreach programs, visit http://
75th anniversary of the Tuskegee Air- comes from diversity,” Johnson said. George Lucas, “Good Morning Amer- tuskegeeairmen.org/.
men Experience. ica” co-anchor Robin Roberts, radio To learn more about the history of
Induction as an honorary mem- personality Tom Joyner, and former
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark ber of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. is a re- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton
A. Welsh III was among the guests. ÀHFWLRQRIDSHUVRQ¶VVXSSRUWRIWKH Schwartz, who also attended the com-
overall goals of the organization, memoration.
Only 40 miles from where the U.S. said Marv Abrams, the central region
$UP\$LU&RUSVWUDLQHGWKH¿UVW$IUL- president of the group. “To say that this evening is an hon-
can American military aviation group or for me ... might be the biggest sin-
in U.S. history, retired Brig. Gen. Those goals, according to Abrams, gle understatement of my life,” Welsh
Leon A. Johnson presented Welsh not only include preserving the heri- said with notable emotion in front of
with a Tuskegee red jacket, mak- tage and legacy of the original Tuske- the group of nearly 200 after Johnson
ing him an honorary member of the gee Airmen, but introducing youth to helped him replace his uniform coat
Tuskegee Airmen. The red jacket rep- aviation and science, technology, en- with the honorary red coat.
resents the distinctive red that pilots gineering and math (STEM) opportu-
and maintainers painted on the tails nities through youth programs. “It is such an incredible privilege
of their P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 just to be here to celebrate the 75th
Mustangs in the 332nd Fighter Group. Theodore “Ted” Lumpkin, one anniversary of the lighting of this
of the 10 original Tuskegee Airmen HWHUQDOÀDPHWKDWZDVOLWDW&KDQXWH
Johnson, now the board chair of the who attended, said he was happy to Field in Illinois in 1941, and is still
Tuskegee Airmen Foundation and na- see Welsh help preserve that legacy burning brightly in the eyes of the
tional president of Tuskegee Airmen for today’s youth. 10 original Tuskegee Airmen sit-
Inc., said the induction was to recog- ting here tonight,” he continued.
nize a man who understands and per- “When you see important individu- “I’m still unable to wrap my mind
VRQL¿HVWKHLPSDFWWKDWWKHPHQDQG als wanting to be and feeling honored around the fact you’re allowing me
women of the Tuskegee mission have to be an honorary member, it’s very
satisfying and it gives you the indica-
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Aerotech News and Review April 1, 2016

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