Ohio's capital begins heritage observance Sept. 24

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WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFPN) --  The Ohio lieutenant governor is scheduled to proclaim Sept. 24 to 30 as Air Force Heritage Week in a Sept. 24 ceremony at Columbus's Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base.

Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher will invite the public to join in "a time of remembrance and recognition for the 60th anniversary of the United States Air Force and to turn their thoughts, prayers, and thanks to Ohio's men and women who are serving and have served our nation."

Several events and displays will be available to Ohio citizens, including a free concert Sept. 25 by the Air Force Band of Flight from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman is scheduled to attend the concert and express the city's gratitude for the Air Force's service to the nation.

The activities culminate Sept. 28 to 30 at the Gathering of Mustangs and Legends at Columbus Regional Airport Authority where modern, state-of-the-art fighters will fly in close formation with World War II and Korean War vintage fighters. The Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, will perform at the gathering following a round of visits and activities in the city.

Airmen of the 180th Fighter Wing from the Toledo, Ohio, Air National Guard will perform a flyover at a Major League Soccer game Sept. 30 in Columbus. During the game, via a video "shout-out," Gen. Bruce Carlson, the commander of Air Force Materiel Command, will present an American flag flown during Operation Enduring Freedom to the Columbus Crew team, which will play the Los Angeles Galaxy.

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

For more information, visit http://www.afmc.af.mil/heritagetohorizons/index.asp

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