Page 9 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, January 2022

8 January 2022 July 2021 Thunderbolt
Celebrating Black History Month
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63rd FS graduates first female B-course student pilot Breaking Down Cultural Barriers SPECIAL PUBLICATION

Buffalo soldiers were African American soldiers who mainly The Tuskegee Airmen, the popular name of a group of
served on the Western frontier following the American Civil War. African-American military pilots who fought in World War II.

February is Black History Month: celebrating, honoring and educating Americans

Senior Airman Phyllis Jimenez on the achievements of African Americans throughout American history.
Airman 1st Class David Busby Col. Robert Kongaika, 56th Maintenance Group deputy commander, blows into a
U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Rachel Vander Kolk, 63rd Fighter Squadron B-course student Tongan seashell horn July 15, 2021, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Kongaika is
pilot, trains to fly the F-35A Lightning II July 23, 2021, at Luke Air Force Base, Ari- the first person from Tonga, a Pacific Island in the Polynesian Kingdom, to achieve On January 28, 2022, each of Aerotech News and Review’s publications will
zona. Vander Kolk is the first female B-course graduate in the 63rd FS and her first the rank of colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Diversity and inclusion in the U.S. Air publish a special edition dedicated to the achievements of African Americans
duty station will be Eielson AFB, Alaska. Vander Kolk’s achievement exemplifies Force are warfighting imperatives that capitalize on and celebrate multicultural
Luke AFB’s mission to train the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat-ready contributions to National Defense, in an environment where all Airmen are valued in the military and aerospace. These issues are sure to be informative,
Airmen. and respected for their identity, culture and background.
thought-provoking and wonderful keepsake editions.

Dr. Mae C. Jemison Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Christina Hopper Guion “Guy” Bluford, Jr.
First African-American Woman in Space. First African-American USAF Pilot. First African-American Fighter Pilot. First African-American in Space.

Please join us in honoring the African American community by placing your
company’s ad in this special edition. Call 877-247-9288 to place your ad,

or email Sandi Bueltel at sbueltel@aerotechnews.com

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