Vol. 50 No. 6 February 12, 2010 Photo by Rachel Boettcher Welcome back Former Air Force Academy superintendents stand at attention for pass and review during a noon meal formation at the Academy Feb. 2. The super- intendents, who were at the Academy to attend a former superintendents’ conference, are (from left): retired Lt. Gens. Robert Kelley, Winfield Scott Jr., Charles Hamm, Bradley Hosmer, Tad Oelstrom, John Dallager and John Regni. For more on the superintendents’ visit, see Page 10. 2004 Academy graduate receives Jabara Award By Steven Simon 200 enemy fighters. The challenging Academy Graduate Liaison terrain made the battle even more diffi- cult, as enemy fighters had the high A 2004 Academy graduate has been ground and pinned the Allied forces in selected to receive the 2010 Col. James the valley below. Jabara Award for Airmanship. When the joint terminal attack Capt. Prichard Keely distinguished controller on the ground was wounded himself through heroic actions April 2, early in the engagement, Captain Keely 2008, while he was a first lieutenant recognized the severity of the situation assigned as lead weapon systems officer and provided the JTAC with timely situ- of an F-15 Eagle two-ship during a sortie ation updates and began to coordinate air supporting U.S. and Afghan National strikes to suppress the enemy fire. The Army ground forces. captain took control of the battle space His F-15 flight was tasked to support over the next four hours, enabling an a special operations force mission to effective counterattack. He coordinated capture or kill a known insurgent leader the five AH-64 Apache helicopters, in the Nuristan province of Afghanistan. allowing them to identify and engage the The tasking required the F-15s to provide target. When the JTAC requested two armed escort and overwatch for the 500-pound General Bomb Unit-38 Joint special forces team’s infiltration and egress. Direct Attack Munitions from Captain Then-Lieutenant Keely provided armed Keely’s aircraft, he engaged the targets. The Courtesy Photo escort for the three helicopters that carried attacks suppressed the enemy’s fire long Capt. Prichard Keely prepares his F-15E Strike Eagle for takeoff from the ground forces. enough for ground forces to regroup and Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Feb. 23, 2009. Captain Keely, a Soon after landing and advancing better assess the situation. weapons systems officer with the 335th Fighter Squadron, was recently toward the objective, the ground team While refueling, Captain Keely main- selected to receive the Col. James Jabara Award for Airmanship for his began to take heavy fire from more than See JABARA, Page 5 actions in support of special operations forces in Afghanistan April 2, 2008. WEEKEND WEATHER Prayer Luncheon Hennessy Team Visit Above and Beyond FRIDAY Former astronaut and retired The High Country Inn Dining Facility puts its The 10th Air Base Wing recognizes individuals 41 17 Brig. Gen. Charles Duke Jr. best foot forward for visiting award judges. for “phenomenal” customer service. MOSTLY CLOUDY SATURDAY speaks on “America’s Page 5 Page 6 43 16 Godly Heritage.” LIGHT RAIN/SNOW Page 3 SUNDAY 34 12 SNOW SHOWERS 2 February 12, 2010 A mentor’s influence,remembered To responsibly inform and educate the Academy community and the public By Gen. Stephen Lorenz helped build within me. He had been a the time to notice the janitor. His actions about the Air Force Academy Commander, Air Education and Training crucial part of my Academy experience resonated with me. That janitor would Lt. Gen. Mike Gould — Command and, in many ways, part of who I am never forget Colonel Henjum. Academy Superintendent Capt. Corinna Jones — today. I kept in touch with Colonel When getting off the elevator, Deputy Director of Public Affairs Mentors touch our lives and help Henjum over the years, often thanking Colonel Henjum introduced Mark to the Staff Sgt. Don Branum — shape us into the people we are today. We him for making a difference in my life. I receptionist. He told Mark about the NCOIC of Internal Information [email protected] value mentorship in the Air Force and never imagined that his influence would receptionist’s son who was a Marine and Ken Carter — Editor both develop it in our subordinates while impact me all over again, especially at currently flying combat missions in [email protected] seeking it from our supervisors. this point in my career. Afghanistan. He reassured the recep- Butch Wehry — Senior Staff Writer [email protected] I like to think that one cannot have The second time Colonel Henjum tionist that her son would come home Ann Patton — Staff Writer enough mentors, nor can one mentor touched my life began with tragic news. safely; Marines are excellent pilots. Not [email protected] enough. I’ve had many through the years, On Jan. 1 of this year, Colonel Henjum only had Colonel Henjum met and talked Denise Navoy — Graphic Designer but one sticks out above the rest. This passed away after battling a long illness. with the receptionist before, but also he The Academy Spirit is published by Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in particular mentor touched my life in two His son, Mark, asked if I would speak at remembered her and took precious time no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under important ways, separated by nearly 40 his father’s memorial service. I was to introduce his son. He even thought to exclusive written contract with the U.S. Air Force Academy. This civilian enterprise Air Force newspa- years. touched by his request and spent hours reassure her fears with a son deployed to per is an authorized publication for members of the While a cadet at the U.S. Air Force trying to find the right words to convey combat operations. U.S. military services. Contents of the Academy Spirit are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed Academy, I struggled to keep my grades how great a person had just left our earth. Now, think about it. Colonel Henjum by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense up. I was on the dean’s “other list” six of I wanted to make sure everyone under- was riding the elevator to find out he or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertising in this publication, eight semesters. Now, in the end, I stood the lasting difference he made in didn’t have much time left. Instead of including inserts or supplements, does not constitute managed to defeat my academic demons the lives of others. lamenting his fate, he was concerned endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, or Colorado Springs and graduate with a commission in 1973, When it was my turn to speak, it about others. That day, he made a differ- Military Newspaper Group, of the products or servic- but I certainly didn’t do it alone. I owe my came from my heart. I told the crowd ence in their lives. Almost 37 years after es advertised. Everything advertised in this publica- tion shall be made available for purchase, use or success in large part to my academic about a man who dedicated his life to graduating from the Academy, Colonel patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, adviser and mentor, Col. Joe Henjum. serving and helping others. When I Henjum was once again making a differ- national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the Colonel Henjum wasn’t what I finished, his son rose to speak. While ence in my life. purchaser, user or patron. The printer reserves the expected when I met him for the first listening to Mark’s story, I found Colonel I always like to tell people that they right to reject any advertisements. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided time in 1971. To be honest, I don’t think I Henjum leading me on another journey. I should strive for two things in life: make by the U.S. Air Force Academy Directorate of Public knew what to expect. He had been was touched and want to share the story a difference in people’s lives and leave the Affairs. The editor reserves the right to edit articles to conform to Air Force policy and Associated awarded the Silver Star for heroism while with you. campground better than you found it. Press style. All photos are U.S. Air Force photos flying helicopters in Vietnam. A few months ago, Mark accompa- Colonel Henjum certainly did that unless otherwise indicated. I quickly learned that Colonel nied his father to the hospital and they throughout his 75 years. He mentored me Submissions Henjum was the kind of person who was both knew what was about to happen. as a cadet at the Air Force Academy and Send submissions to: HQ USAFA/PAI, 2304 easy to look up to and even easier to The doctor was going to tell Colonel once again just this last month. I couldn’t Cadet Drive, Suite 3100, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO follow. When he took me and my Henjum that he only had three months ask for a better mentor and friend. 80840-5016 or deliver to Suite 3100 in Harmon Hall. Deadline for free classified ads on a space- academic worries under his wing, I was left to live. It was an appointment they Go and thank those who have guided available basis is noon every Tuesday for that proud to be there.