Ohio mayor applauds Air Force heritage

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AFPN) --  Government officials from Ohio continue to honor the Air Force as part of Air Force Heritage Week activities here.  

The latest activity occurred Sept. 25 when Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman joined Lt. Gen. John L. Hudson, commander of Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, in speaking about Air Force heritage to nearly 2,000 people who attended a free Air Force Band of Flight concert.  Mayor Coleman issued an Air Force Heritage Week proclamation for Columbus. 

The concert took place in the auditorium of the Franklin County Veterans Memorial, which sponsored the event along with the Valley of Columbus 32nd Degree Masons and the city's daily newspaper, The Columbus Dispatch. 

The mayor's attendance at the concert followed Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher proclaiming Sept. 24 to 30 as Air Force Heritage Week during a ceremony at Rickenbacker Regional Airport Sept. 24. 

At that event, speaking to an audience of about 120 Air National Guard members and civilians, the lieutenant governor thanked Ohio's men and women currently serving in the Air Force, and extended his appreciation to all who serve or have served in the military to protect the nation. 

Lt. Gen. Terry L. Gabreski, the vice commander of Air Force Materiel Command, added that the purpose of Air Force Heritage Week is to recognize the accomplishments of past and present Airmen, reinforce pride in those who serve, and generate excitement for the promising future of the Air Force. The headquarters for AFMC is at Wright-Patterson AFB, near Dayton, Ohio. 

"The citizens of Columbus, Ohio, and of this great nation, share in our Air Force's heritage," General Gabreski said. "You show your love and support in war and peace and deserve our utmost gratitude and promise that we will continue to keep you and your loved ones secure and free." 

As for upcoming events, the Gathering of Mustangs and Legends will feature an air show celebrating Air Force heritage past and present Sept. 27 to 30 at Rickenbacker International Airport.  World War II fighters that flew with and against each other, such as the P-40 Warhawk, P-63 Kingcobra, P-47 Thunderbolt, P-38 Lightning, German Messerschmitt, ME-109, German Focke-Wulf, FW-190 and British Supermarine Spitfire are expected to be in attendance along with some of the country's top air show performers. 

The Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, will perform at Rickenbacker International Airport Sept. 29-30. 

Of the more than 500,000 men and women who serve in the Air Force as either uniformed members or civilian employees, more than 25,000 are assigned to Ohio's Air Force installations, including Air Guard and Reserve bases. About 65 percent of these employees are assigned in the Miami Valley-Dayton area, home to Wright-Patterson AFB, the largest single-site employer in Ohio. 

(Courtesy of Air Force Materiel Command News Service)

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