August Airman now available

  • Published
SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) --  The August issue of Airman features “aces,” snipers at Bashur Airfield, the upcoming Air Force Academy football season and road maintenance airmen in a Washington national forest. These stories and more can be found in this month’s magazine, now available in print and online.

Ace in the Sky -- World War I brought about a new breed of fighter, and nations were quick in exploiting the successes of their airmen for propaganda purposes. The United States was not the first to award the “ace” distinction to its fighters who had downed enemy aircraft, but it did herald many such notable men.

Keeping a Sharp Eye -- Two snipers were with the first 20 airmen from a conventional unit to parachute into Iraq. But they did not slip into the mountains near Bashur Airfield to stalk the enemy. That call never came. Rather, they stuck to what they knew best -- force protection.

A Season to Remember – When the Air Force Academy football season kicks off in late August it could be special for the Falcons. Coach Fisher DeBerry enters his 20th season with 17 returning starters, the most in his tenure, as well as a favorable lineup of games. Preview the Falcons’ upcoming season and their 2003 schedule.

Opening Doors -- Airmen at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, are opening doors to a better life for the families of a local village through donated food, clothing, school supplies and other items from around the world. The program goes hand-in-hand with the unit’s mission to help the Afghanistan people rebuild their nation and to provide security for the region.

Bombs Away -- Aerial bombing in the Korean War was hit-or-miss. There were no fancy computers or guided munitions back then. But the development of fliers and equipment in the 50 years since has given the Air Force a global edge on the competition.

The Road Runners – You will not find these airmen plodding through the daily grind stuffed in a cubicle. Their work takes them outside to Washington’s Colville National Forest where they are responsible for miles and miles of gravel roads. When someone says, “It’s a bear,” they mean it, literally.