Lt. Gen. Gould Takes Command of USAFA by Staff Sgt

Vol. 49 No. 23 June 12, 2009 Lt. Gen. Gould takes command of USAFA By Staff Sgt. Eric Bolt Academy Public Affairs Lt. Gen. Michael Gould took command of the U.S. Air Force Academy, as the 18th superintendent, during a ceremony Tuesday. General Gould is a class of ’76 Academy graduate and the first superintendant to graduate from the U.S. Air Force Prep School. General Gould comes to the Academy from Scott AFB, Ill., where he served as the U.S. Transportation Command Operations and Plans director. The Academy’s new superintendant had previous assignments as the 2nd Air Force commander, Keesler AFB, Miss.; 3rd Air Force commander, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England; 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, Altus AFB, Okla.; and, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, McConnell AFB, Kan. The general said both he and his wife, Paula, are ‘humbled beyond belief’ accepting this assignment. “There is no more noble and important mission than the one we have here,” he said. “We are responsible for devel- oping future leaders.” General Gould said he has a lot to learn while at the Academy, but he will lead and build upon the great founda- tion Lt. Gen. John Regni left. “What I do know is that the cadets Photo by Dennis Rogers who serve here are among America’s Lt. Gen. Michael Gould (right) accepts the U.S. Air Force Academy guidon from Gen. Norton Schwartz, chief of staff finest,” General Gould added. “This of the Air Force, during a change of command ceremony at the Academy June 9. Academy exists for one reason—to during the ceremony. “I can easily say the General Gould takes command from the future of the Academy, he still holds develop them into leaders of character.” development of our future leaders is in General Regni, who is retiring after 40 past Academy traditions close. General Norton Schwartz, Chief of good hands. The results of your work years of military service, including four “One thing remains standard and Staff of the Air Force, shared his confi- here will be critical to the Air Force in as an Academy cadet. enduring and that is … beat Army and dence in the incoming superintendant the years to come.” Though General Gould is looking to sink Navy!” Academy is tops in Air Force Assistance Fund By Butch Wehry lation program manager.” population and the cadet population. Academy Spirit staff The Academy set out to raise $50,328, but after “Civilian/contractor donations were almost 25 receiving donations from around the installation, the percent of the overall total, while the cadets put in The Air Force Academy is original goal was crushed by more than 250 percent almost 50 percent of the overall total,” Sergeant Hill said. currently at the top of the heap totaling $126, 971.72. Helping him surpass the goal was Capt. Sonja when it comes to reaching “I think the reason is two-fold: most people are Posquantonio and Senior Master Sgt. Ricardo Melendez, predetermined goals in the generous by nature and we’ve had several Academy dean of faculty; Capt. Jason Kneuer, athletic department; 2009 Air Force Assistance Fund members get much-needed help from AFAS,” he said. Capt. Robert Pawlik, preparatory school; 1st Lt. Campaign. “Their stories touched people on a personal level. We Stephanie Downs, 10th Air Base Wing; Master Sgt. “It was the effort put in tailored the campaign message around these personal Jerry Molina, cadet wing; Tech. Sgt Tiffany Smith, by all of the base keyworkers,” stories. I think that gave Academy members more of direct reporting unit and Tech. Sgt Timothy Rivera, said Master Sgt. Robert Hill, Cadet Squadron 31’s a sense of ‘helping our own’. 306th Flying Training Group. Academy military training NCO. “I have worked The senior NCO thinks most people don’t realize “I’m proud to be part of the Academy and encour- AFAF campaigns before, but not as the overall instal- the huge contributions from both the civilian/contractor aged by the spirit of giving here,” Sergeant Hill said. Exchange Reopens Chemistry Olympiad Fit 4 Future Academy Exchange to celebrate new Top high school chemistry Academy youngsters are get- look during grand opening celebra- students compete for a ting a jump start on a tion July 1.“It’s going to be kind place on the team life-long healthy of like a festival.” representing the U. S. at lifestyle—and having fun the 41st annual International Page 7 doing it. Chemistry Olympiad. Page 12 Few T-storms Scattered T-storms Isolated T-storms Page 8 68 45 66 48 67 51 2 June 12, 2009 Greeting Carmen To responsibly inform and educate the By Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz the 99th Flying Training Squadron, the than a floor littered with many. This Academy community and the public Commander, Air Education and Training chapel, and even at the base fitness adage goes for all things, not just trash. about the Air Force Academy Command Lt. Gen. Michael Gould — center. Carmen is everywhere, greeting What has impressed me most about Academy Superintendent dozens of people every day, and this base Carmen, however, is her positive atti- Lt. Col. Brett Ashworth — RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, is better because of her. tude. Director of Public Affairs Texas (AFNS) — If you haven’t seen the Carmen works to ensure that her There is a lot to be said about Tech. Sgt. Cortchie Welch — Air Education and Training Command Chief of Internal Information labor achieves the right effect — that someone who sees the world as being a Ken Carter — Editor headquarters building, you’re missing everyone who drives past, visits or works “glass half-full.” True, we must guard [email protected] out. It is a grand, historic building built in the building feels a part of something such optimism with realism, but it is far Staff Sgt. Eric Bolt — Assignment Editor in the 1930s, nestled under age-old oak eric,[email protected] special. The headquarters building easier (and more fun) to follow a posi- Butch Wehry — Senior Staff Writer trees. routinely hosts foreign ministers of tive, energetic leader than one who [email protected] Although initially used as an defense, air chiefs, and American civic exudes negative gloom. Such a positive Ann Patton — Staff Writer academic hall for new Air Force aviators, and military leaders; and represents the attitude is contagious to the entire [email protected] Denise Navoy — Graphic Designer the building has had many uses over the nearly 90,000 men and women world- organization and has a positive impact years. Today, along with sister buildings wide that belong to Air Education and both up and down the chain of The Academy Spirit is published by Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in no of the same era, it houses members of Training Command. The building is an command. It is a key element of any way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive the headquarters Air Education and integral part of the organization and is successful team. written contract with the U.S. Air Force Academy. This Training Command staff. For those in civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized everyone’s first impression at work every The one problem is that Carmen is publication for members of the U.S. military services. the main building, standing on the red- day. It all starts with Carmen’s attention so effective and efficient that her work Contents of the Academy Spirit are not necessarily the tiled sidewalk that leads to the front official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, to detail. begins to blend into the building. After the Department of Defense or the Department of the doors every morning is Carmen. Her professionalism is evident all awhile, it can be easy to forget the Air Force. Carmen is an important part of my The appearance of advertising in this publication, over the base and it stems from pride. importance of her labors. I get accus- including inserts or supplements, does not constitute morning routine. She never complains about her responsi- tomed to seeing her on the red-tiled endorsement by the Department of Defense, the You see, each morning I park my car Department of the Air Force, or Colorado Springs bilities and relishes the opportunity to walkway and the routine becomes an Military Newspaper Group, of the products or services in front of the headquarters building and make a difference. If she sees the flag in expectation. I sometimes forget to appre- advertised. Everything advertised in this publication walk up that wide, red-tiled sidewalk to shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage the front of the building rolled up by a ciate her impact. without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national ori- the front doors of the building. There gust of wind, she unfurls it. Dust on a We must not forget that everyone in gin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political she stands, working with a mop in hand, affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, ledge doesn’t stand a chance. She’s never the organization makes a difference. No user or patron. The printer reserves the right to reject water pail nearby, and a bright smile that idle, always taking the initiative to one person or position is of greater value any advertisements. stretches from ear to ear. I always stop Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided exceed expectations and set a higher than another; all are equal in the pursuit by the U.S.

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