Academy Graduate to Pilot STS-130 Shuttle Mission by Capt
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Vol. 50 No. 5 February 5, 2010 Academy graduate to pilot STS-130 shuttle mission By Capt. Corinna Jones The Columbia, Md., native had one more pitch for Academy Public Affairs deputy director cadets: “Beat Navy. Beat Army. And beating BYU would be nice too.” A 1989 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy will During the STS-130 mission, Endeavour will deliver pilot the STS-130 mission to the International Space a third connecting module — the Tranquility node — to Station aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor, currently the station and a seven-windowed cupola to be used as scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Center in a control room for robotics. The mission will feature Florida Sunday. three extra-vehicular activities, or spacewalks. Col. Terry Virts Jr., an astronaut, fighter pilot and test STS-130 is the 32nd shuttle mission to the station and pilot with more than 3,800 flying hours in more than 40 Colonel Virts’ first trip to space. Mission commander different aircraft, said the Academy played a significant George Zamka will lead the 130 mission. Mission special- role in preparing him for his Air Force career. ists are Nicholas Patrick, Robert Behnken, Stephen “The Academy’s academic experience gave me a great Robinson and Kathryn Hire. background in engineering and taught me how to approach Colonel Virts graduated from the Academy with and understand real world technical problems,” he said. academic distinction and a Bachelor of Science degree in Photo Courtesy of NASA “The diverse classes we take — chemistry, physics, aero, mathematics. He also attended the French air force Col. Terry Virts Jr., a 1989 graduate of the Air astro — I have used at least a little bit of all of these in my academy, L’ É c o l e d e l’Ai r , in 1988 on an exchange program. Force Academy, will pilot the Space Shuttle career.” NASA selected Colonel Virts to become a pilot in July Endeavour during the STS-130 mission scheduled “More importantly, the Academy gave me training 2000. His technical assignments include lead astronaut for Sunday. The mission will be NASA’s 32nd to and experience in leadership, ethics and integrity — for the T-38 supersonic trainer jet, a Shuttle Avionics the International Space Station and Colonel Virts’ something many schools do not and something that is Integration Laboratory test crewmember, Expedition 9 crew first trip to space. absolutely essential for any career as an officer and post- support astronaut and lead astronaut for appearances. He the F-16 Combined Task Force at Edwards Air Force Air Force careers,” he said. has worked as a capsule communicator, or CAPCOM, Base, Calif., from 1999 until July 2000. The colonel said athletics also played a key role. through 11 space station expeditions and 12 space shuttle His other assignments include flying F-16s with the “Staying in shape is a key part of any healthy life. The missions, communicating directly with the station crew 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Homestead Air Force Academy got me used to staying active in lots of different using the call sign “Houston.” Most recently, he served as Base, Fla., the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, activities — running, swimming, sports, skiing,” he said. the lead ascent and entry CAPCOM. South Korea, and the 22nd FS at Spangdahlem AB, “There’s no better place to prepare you as a ‘whole person’ Colonel Virts was selected for U.S. Air Force Test Germany. While at Spangdahlem from 1995-1998, he than the Air Force Academy. It’s tough and not always fun Pilot School in 1997 and graduated a year later. Following flew 45 combat missions to suppress enemy air defenses while you’re there, but it’s worth it.” his graduation, he served as an experimental test pilot at during Operation Allied Force. Air Force secretary to headline NCLS lineup By Ann Patton Participants will of 1959, the Academy principal deputy director of national intel- Academy Spirit staff speak with visiting Class of 1974 and the ligence undergraduate univer- 10th Air Base Wing. — Retired Air National Guard Maj. Gen. The 17th-annual National Character sity student leaders from “The best leaders tell Martha Rainville, the National Guard’s and Leadership Symposium will feature across the country, great stories — to illus- first female adjutant general presentations by Secretary of the Air Force known as a student trate, to inform, to share,” — Navy Capt. Steve Trainor, chair of Michael Donley and other keynote and consortium, in seminars Major Nelson said. “At the Department of Leadership, Ethics and concurrent speakers who will gather here and discussions to pursue NCLS, we orient leaders Law at the U.S. Naval Academy in Feb. 17-19 with cadets, faculty, Academy understanding the im- to see themselves and Annapolis, Md. alumni, government employees and other portance and challenges their world differently, — Retired Army Col. Joe LeBoeuf, university students. of sound moral character to see opportunities for professor of the practice of management This year’s theme is “Guardians of and leadership. character and leadership at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Trust: Leaders in the Modern Era.” The three-day event development and to Business NCLS is regarded as one of the premier is hosted and sponsored emerge ... to being great — Retired Army Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell, national symposiums in the area of char- by the Academy’s Center leaders whose decisions a survivor of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on acter development. It is designed to guide for Character and and actions will shape a the Pentagon cadets toward turning ethical reasoning Leadership Develop- better future.” — Lt. Col. Rod Lewis, commander of the into action, improving knowledge of ethics ment, Association of The round-up of 4th Airlift Squadron at McChord Air Force and foundations of character, and devel- Graduates and Class of 1973. Other spon- speakers includes: Base, Wash. oping a sense of moral courage, said Maj. sors include the Sabre Society, the Air — Secretary of the Air Force Michael — Capt. Amy Kauvar, a brain cancer Olivia Nelson, an individual mobilization Force Academy Athletic Association, John Donley survivor augmentee with the Center for Character and Lyn Muse Educational Foundation, the — Retired Gen. Lee Butler, former — Army Chief Warrant Officer Lance Leadership and Development, which spon- Phillis Foundation, the Senator Margaret commander of U.S. Strategic Command McElhiney, a helicopter pilot sors NCLS. Chase Smith Foundation, the USAFA Class — Retired Gen. Michael Hayden, former See NCLS, Page 3 WEEKEND WEATHER Bronze Star winner Tuskegee Airman dies Winter Spree FRIDAY A 10th Medical Group physician’s assistant Lt. Col. Lee Archer died of coronary compli- Cadets host Cub Scouts for a day of compe- 43 19 returns from war. cations at age 90. tition and team building. MOSTLY SUN SATURDAY Page 4 Page 5 Page 10 41 18 PARTLY SUN/PM SNOW SUNDAY 36 13 SNOW 2 February 5, 2010 At the Academy,it’s all about respect By Lt. Gen. Mike Gould worship circle was done in response to first Air Force institution to accommo- To responsibly inform and educate the Academy Superintendent Academy community and the public the request of both cadets and active duty date Earth-centered religions and we about the Air Force Academy personnel who asked that their religion won’t be the last. However, at the Air Lt. Gen. Mike Gould — In the last be accommodated by the Air Force Force Academy the issue of religion is far Academy Superintendent Capt. Corinna Jones — several days, Academy chaplaincy. Therefore, it is our greater than accommodation, it’s about Deputy Director of Public Affairs you’ve read or obligation, my obligation, to accommo- religious respect. Staff Sgt. Don Branum — heard or seen that date the group’s religious requirements in The mission of the United States Air NCOIC of Internal Information [email protected] the Air Force a manner that is fair and consistent with Force Academy is to educate, train and Ken Carter — Editor Academy has other religious groups who are accom- inspire men and women to become offi- [email protected] established an area modated at the Academy. cers of character to lead the United States Butch Wehry — Senior Staff Writer [email protected] for Earth-centered You may have also heard that a cross Air Force in service to our nation. We are Ann Patton — Staff Writer worship. Some of was found at the site. The cross was made dedicated to creating a learning and [email protected] what you read or of railroad ties being left at the Earth training environment where cadets can Denise Navoy — Graphic Designer hear is sensational- worship site. This topic has also been realize their highest potential regardless The Academy Spirit is published by Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in ized. I want to separate fact from fiction. extensively covered and not always accu- of their religious or other beliefs. no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under We made the decision to add a rately. Though we don’t know the Cadets learn that to succeed as an Air exclusive written contract with the U.S. Air Force Academy. This civilian enterprise Air Force newspa- worship area for followers of Earth- circumstances behind this incident, Force officer we must be able to support per is an authorized publication for members of the centered religions based on religious whether or not it was a malicious act or and respect the people who we lead, serve U.S. military services. Contents of the Academy Spirit are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed rights outlined in the U.S.