AFMC commander addresses Air Force heritage Published Sept. 17, 2007 By JoAnne Rumple AFMC/PA COLUMBUS, Ohio -- "I'm honored to serve with today's young airmen," said Gen. Bruce Carlson, "men and women who deploy and fight in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, and who visibly demonstrate integrity, service and excellence." "Those values are part of our heritage," he added, addressing the Columbus, Ohio, Rotary Sept. 17, one day away from the U.S. Air Force's 60th anniversary and one week away from the start of Air Force Heritage Week in Columbus. General Carlson spoke of revolutionary ideas, "forged in conflict and proven through decades of achievements and service," which have made the Air Force what it is today: "the world's strongest, most professional air, space and cyberspace force." Commander of Air Force Materiel Command, headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, General Carlson spoke in downtown Columbus and talked about challenges faced by the service as it helps to fight the Global War on Terror. He touched on challenges accompanying reduced budgets at a time when Air Force fleets have been flying non-stop in Iraq for more than 16 years and desperately need to be replaced with newer aircraft. Of facing rising costs for personnel and operations at a time when defense spending is at its lowest in decades. Of the challenges ahead. And of the need to provide more capable weapon systems for young airmen of the future. General Carlson currently leads more than 78,000 military, civilian and contractor airmen at 10 bases across the country. AFMC is responsible for everything from research and development to testing, acquisition, upgrades and sustainment of Air Force weapon systems--systems used in the Global War on Terror and humanitarian missions around the globe. He spoke about newer technology developed by the Air Force, which has made armament not only stealthy but immensely precise: "For example, the Small Diameter Bomb," he said, "is so accurate that you can tell it which room in a building to hit and which door to go through." He also discussed improvements in surveillance and reconnaissance that are making it easier for troops in places like Iraq to spot terrorists burying roadside bombs or improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. General Carlson added that, in its history, the Air Force has overcome many challenges, not just with technology but by making the tough calls necessary between personnel and recapitalized weapon systems. It's all part, he said, of the six decades of daring and dedication which will be celebrated next week in Columbus - one of only two cities in the United States to get its own Air Force Heritage Week. That honor, he said, has much to do with the history of aviation in the state, from the Wright Brothers to the first all black aviation squadron -- the 99th pursuit squadron -- that flew P-41 War Hawks, P-47s and then P-51 Mustangs in WWII, providing fighter escort in 1943 for 15th and 8th Air Force heavy bombers during the Allied invasion of southern Italy. That unit was later combined with troops stationed at Lockbourne AFB, precursor to today's Rickenbacker Air National Guard base. Air Force and city of Columbus officials are encouraging attendance at Air Force Heritage Week events, which are being held in conjunction with the Gathering of Mustangs and Legends at Rickenbacker, just south of downtown Columbus. Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and Lt. Gen. Terry Gabreski, vice commander of AFMC, will kick off the week with a proclamation ceremony at Rickenbacker Sept. 24. On Sept. 25, the Air Force Band of Flight performs a concert at the Franklin County Veterans Memorial downtown. On Sept. 28, the Air Force Thunderbirds team will visit the Children's Hospital, Hillard-Davidson High School and Groveport Madison Senior High School. That same day, General Gabreski will address the opening ceremony for the Gathering of Mustangs and Legends, which runs through Sept. 30 and includes air shows by the Thunderbirds and a number of beautifully-restored P-51 Mustangs. Additionally on Sept. 30, Ohio's Air National Guard will provide an F-16 flyover for the Columbus Crew major league soccer game. Additionally, the Crew game will feature "shout-outs" from Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander of AFMC, and a number of Ohio Airmen currently deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.