United We Roll at Stardust Radio

We salute Capt Buckwalter, his Wingman and all who helped this event to a successful outcome.

Strike Eagle Pilot honored with Air Force Safety Award

by Staff Sgt. Richard A. Williams Jr.
Air Force Public Affairs Agency

6/30/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- A pilot who landed a crippled F-15E Strike Eagle after taking off from Kunsan Air Base, Korea, received the Air Force's most prestigious flight safety award here June 29.

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley presented Capt. Hans Buckwalter, of the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, with the 2010 Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy for outstanding achievement in airmanship and flying proficiency.

The award, established in 1958, recognizes outstanding feats of airmanship by an aircrew member who, by extraordinary skill, exceptional alertness, ingenuity or proficiency, averts or minimizes the seriousness of an aircraft accident in terms of injury, loss of life, aircraft or property damage, Secretary Donley said.

"Through his actions, Hans exemplifies the standards established for this award," the secretary said. "His actions truly reflect how Airmen rise to the occasion no matter how difficult the circumstances."

On April 8, 2010, Captain Buckwalter successfully landed a crippled F-15E using only the nose and right main landing gear. Shortly after takeoff, his aircraft experienced a mechanical failure that wedged the left main landing gear in the fuselage.

Captain Buckwalter also experienced a similar failure in the right wing landing gear which he was able to correct.

After nearly two hours of unsuccessful attempts to correct the left landing gear problem, he calmly touched down on the right main landing gear, lowered the nose, and held the left wing tip off the ground until his aircraft engaged the arresting cable.

Captain Buckwalter then lowered the left wing and maintained directional control for nearly 1,000 feet until his F-15E came to a stop and egress procedures were performed.

"I stand before you today as the recipient of this award," Captain Buckwalter said. "But there is no way I could have done this without the support of my wingman in the air who constantly updated me on the status of my aircraft and the assistance of my team on the ground that did everything possible to help me."

Had his wingman not noticed the issue with his aircraft, he added, he would not have known there was a problem with his landing gear until he attempted to land, and the outcome could have been very different.

The award is named for 1st Lt. Koren Kolligian Jr., an Air Force pilot declared missing in the line of duty when his T-33 Shooting Star aircraft disappeared off the California coast Sept. 14, 1955.

Members of Lieutenant Kolligian's family were in attendance to honor Captain Buckwalter as he received the award.

Captain Buckwalter had more than 1,200 flying hours, primarily in the F-15E, and is currently an alternate in the prestigious United States Air Force Test Pilot School. He is assigned to the 391st Fighter Squadron as the Chief of Standardization and Evaluations at Mountain Home AFB.

"It is an honor to receive this award," Captain Buckwalter said. "It's extremely humbling and awesome for me and my family to be a part of this wonderful Air Force tradition."

WWP is working hard to help our service members transition to civilian life. Let's give them all the support that we can muster.

WWP Hits Major Milestone With 100th "Warriors to Work" Placement In Under A Year
www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Wounded Warrior Project Provides programs and services to severely injured service members during the time between active duty and transition to civilian life.

Release No: 149
June 30, 2011

Air Force manager recognized for outstanding leadership

Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – The deputy assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration received the 2010 Eugene M. Zuckert Management Award during a June 29 ceremony presided by the Secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon.

Ron Henderson earned the annual award that recognizes outstanding achievements by a top-level Air Force manager in the ranks of brigadier through lieutenant general or civilian equivalents.

At the Pentagon, Mr. Henderson was cited for providing outstanding leadership with unparallel success by orchestrating hundreds of activities in support of one of the Air Force’s top priorities “Continuing to Strengthen the Nuclear Enterprise.”

“Though presented to an individual, a prestigious award like the Zuckert is truly a reflection of a team serving together to pursue a cause that is vitally important to the U.S. Air Force,” Mr. Henderson said. “Our assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration (AF/A10) team has effectively handled the rigors associated with the Air Force secretary and chief of staff’s top priority.

“The dedicated men and women of A10 have invested their talents, skills, energy and passion to achieving the goal of re-establishing USAF credentials as an effective steward of our nation's nuclear deterrence mission,” he said. “The Zuckert Award is a worthy tribute to the entire A10 team and I am very honored to receive the award on their behalf."

His direct efforts optimized Air Force contributions to the U.S. deterrent posture through a unique nuclear posture review and new strategic arms treaty approach crafting language capturing national goals. He crafted a comprehensive nuclear enterprise report signed by the Secretary of the Air Force to the Secretary of Defense illustrating the reinvigoration efforts and effects of the previous two years.

Mr. Henderson also shaped a strategic offense issue team that won $420 million in fiscal 2011 budget review and $4.7 billion in Future Years Defense Program dollars to reduce critical risk to the nation’s nuclear mission.

The award is named after Eugene M. Zuckert who served as secretary of the Air Force from January 1961 to September 1965.

For more information on Zuckert and other Air Force-level awards, go to the Air Force Portal and do a search for "Air Force Organizational Performance Awards.”

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My Final Thought For Tonight .....

As I turn off the computer and get ready to rest my eyes for a while, I realize that many, many miles from home, thousands of our friends, family and neighbors are working in harm's way, in exceedingly hot temps, living in conditions that are far from the comforts of home - all in the name of freedom for our country and others.

It is one of my heart's greatest desires that not one single military member stationed far from the USA will feel alone or unappreciated. If Kindle can send a book through the air in 60 seconds, I hope my prayers for all who serve and their families can make it into their hearts and let them know they are not alone. Sweet Dreams.

Judi

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‘First Lightning’ Battalion Soldiers receive valor awards for heroism ( 1-7FA, 2-1AAB )

See photos at http://www.facebook.com/UnitedWeRoll

Photos by Sgt. Jaime A. Garcia, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C

BAGHDAD– Brig. Gen. Bradley A. Becker, left, deputy commanding general – support for the 25th Infantry Division and United States Division – Center and a Sacramento, Calif., native, addresses the Soldiers of 1st “First Lightning” Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, USD – C, on the valorous efforts of Staff Sgt. Joshua Bell, center, section chief with Battery B, 1st Bn. 7th FA Regt. and a Virginia Beach, Va., native, and Spc. Anthony Amelia, right, combat engineer with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery,1st Bn., 7th FA Regt. and a Lowell, Mich., native, during an awards ceremony June 12, 2011 at Joint Security Station Loyalty, Iraq. Bell was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor and a Purple Heart, and Amelia was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, for acts of heroism during separate attacks on their convoy element, including opulling a fellow soldier from a burning vehicle. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Jaime A. Garcia, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C)