Very Windy Very Windy Very Windy Know about snow 30 6 35 12 37 18 Page 6 Vol. 48 No. 2 January 18, 2008 Grads take controls Page 3 Making the grade Page 5 Photo by Dave Armer Fire Falcon finds home fightings Workers battle freezing temperatures Thursday to position the largest falcon statue in the United States, in finest front of Falcon Stadium. The bronze sculpture, valued at $400,000, has a wing span of 24 feet and weighs 10,000 pounds. It was created by Jon Hair, a sculptor for the U.S. Olympic Team, and given to the Academy by Page 8 Irwin “Ike” Belk, who funded similar giant mascots at other colleges. Mr. Belk is a former department store president, state senator, United Nations delegate and sergeant in the Army Air Corps during World War II. The statue will be dedicated at the start of the 2008 football season. AF honors veteran Academy firefighter By Ann Patton Academy,” she said. Academy Spirit staff “I am extremely proud of him. Ken Home epitomizes the Air Force’s core values and Academy deputy fire chief Ken serves as a mentor, leader and role model court Helgerson has been named outstanding Air for all Airmen on the Academy.” advantage Force Civil Engineer Manager of the year. Chief Helgerson served as a firefighter Page 10 “It certainly was surprising,” he said. during his Air Force career before coming “Firefighters traditionally don’t win.” to the Academy two years ago. Lt. Col. Deborah McMurtry, 10th As deputy chief, he manages Civil Engineer Squadron commander who personnel, budget, strategic planning for nominated Chief Helgerson, was also exercises and risk management. He also surprised. takes the lead during major emergency “Competition for this award is incidents. very tight and to have one of our Chief Helgerson compiled a long list Photo by Ann Patton Academy deputy fire chief Ken firefighters leading the way in the CE of accomplishments for his award, Helgerson looks forward to every community speaks volumes about the which he will receive in February at Boling day as a firefighter. caliber of individuals we have here at the See HONOR, Page 4 Scholarship-winning cadet eyes the sky UCI Tip of the Week Page 3 By Ann Patton of the Taryn Robinson Scholarship and Association. It honors the memory of Academy Spirit staff will throttle up during spring break at 2nd Lt. Taryn Robinson, Academy Class INSIDE the Tutima Academy of Aviation Safety of 2005, who died from injuries sustained Commentary 2 Cadet 2nd Class Andy Davis believes in Salina, Calif. in a flight training accident in 2006. News 3 his two biggest accomplishments so far “I have always been an adrenaline- This is the second year the scholar- Features 8 are becoming a soaring instructor pilot seeking person,” he said. “There is nothing ship has been awarded to an Academy Community 9 and being a member of the Academy better than looking out of an aircraft and cadet. Sports 10 aerobatic team. seeing down.” Tutima Academy offers courses in Classifieds 12 He can add another. The $5,000 scholarship is a gift of stall/spin recognition and recovery, Cadet Davis has been named winner the General Aviation Manufacturers See SCHOLARSHIP, Page 4 2 January 18, 2008 Directorate of Public Affairs mission: To responsibly inform and educate the Academy community and the public about the Air Force Academy Lt. Gen. John Regni — Heritage uniform links AF past to present Academy Superintendent Maj. Brett Ashworth — Director of Public Affairs By CMSAF Rodney J. McKinley air campaigns of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Staff. Sgt. Tim Jenkins — the Air Force remains at the forefront of NCOIC, Internal Information Editor’s Note: The Academy is one of the fight. Since everything we are and Wayne Amann — Editor [email protected] three locations to conduct fit and wear tests accomplish today has root in our war Butch Wehry — Senior Staff Writer of a new Air Force Heritage service coat. fighting history, it’s only right our uniforms [email protected] Feedback will determine whether the should reflect this heritage. Ann Patton — Staff Writer uniforms will be on clothing sales store [email protected] A new service dress uniform also Denise Navoy — Graphic Designer hangers. The fit test is Feb. 11-15 in the links with our efforts to cultivate a Warrior Arnold Hall banquet room. Participants will Ethos throughout every facet of the Air The Academy Spirit is published by Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in no try on a service coat and complete a survey. Force. Among these efforts, we are way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive Their data and measurements will deter- expanding basic military training to give written contract with the U.S. Air Force Academy. This civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized mine wear test participants who will wear Airmen skills to set up and defend expe- publication for members of the U.S. military services. the new service coat on a regular basis in ditionary air bases, we recognize our Contents of the Academy Spirit are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the performance of their duties between Airmen’s ground combat actions with a the Department of Defense or the Department of the June and September 2008. new Air Force Combat Action Medal, Air Force. The appearance of advertising in this publication, and we now have an Airman’s Creed to including inserts or supplements, does not constitute As Airmen, we have many opportu- embody and articulate our warrior spirit. endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, or Colorado Springs nities to represent our Air Force to the As I travel throughout our Air Force Military Newspaper Group, of the products or services American public, our sister Services and CMSAF Rodney J. McKinley talking with Airmen, I see warriors who advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage Allies. Many of these opportunities are are leading the charge in the Global War without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national ori- formal occasions where we don our service stronger military image, one that will on Terror. Despite long hours, extended gin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political make a powerful statement about who affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, dress uniform for joint school gradua- deployments and a myriad of challenges, user or patron. The printer reserves the right to reject tions, promotions, retirements, memo- we are - America’s Airmen who fly, fight our Airmen continually prove they have any advertisements. rial services, host nation celebrations or and win in any domain. The proposed the grit and determination of the Airmen Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the U.S. Air Force Academy Directorate of Public community events in Downtown, U.S.A. heritage jacket will give us a uniform with who fought the wars before us. A new Affairs. The editor reserves the right to edit articles As the Chief Master Sergeant of the more historical significance, better func- heritage service dress uniform will say to to conform to Air Force policy and Associated Press style. All photos are U.S. Air Force photos unless other- Air Force, I have the chance to attend tionality, and most importantly, will the world what we already know - we are wise indicated. many formal events with my peers from embody the warrior spirit that defines us proud Airmen linked to a combat-forged Submissions our sister services. I am always proud to as Airmen serving in the Profession of past, and Air Force warriors prepared for stand beside them, wear our uniform well, Arms. today’s challenges and future battlefields. Send submissions to: HQ USAFA/PAI, 2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 3100, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80840- and represent you - our great Airmen. I From the Berlin Airlift, B-26 and B- I’m looking forward to wearing our 5016 or deliver to Suite 3100 in Harmon Hall. look forward to the day when I stand tall 29 bombing runs over North Korea during new heritage service dress uniform - and Deadline for free classified ads on a space-avail- able basis is 12 noon every Tuesday for that week’s in a new service dress uniform with a the Korean War and the “Shock and Awe” I hope you are, too. publication date. Paid classified advertising is accept- ed by the publisher at 329-5236. The number to call for display advertising is 634-5905. Deadline for all stories is noon Friday, one week United States Air Force Academy Mission: prior to the desired publication date. Refer questions to the Academy Spirit editor at 333-8823. CharacteTor educate, De train,ve andlo inspirepm menen andt women to become officers The Academy Spirit also accepts story submis- sions by fax at 333-4094 or by e-mail: pa.news of character motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation. paper@ usafa.af.mil. CharacterCharacter CCornerorner On the other side of the ball By Chap. (Lt. Col.) Bob Leivers Fort Worth as a team, three of their star players watching,and doing the right thing when everyone Center for Character Development skipped a team meeting. Apparently, within college is watching. football the usual punishment for missing such a meeting The California coach did the right thing with The Center for Character Development staff is is to be held out of the next game for a quarter.