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Global Strike Airmen participate in Air Force Week NYC

  • Published
  • By Carla Pampe
  • Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
NEW YORK, N.Y. --  Members of Air Force Global Strike Command's civic outreach team represented the Command in New York City and on a national TV morning show as a part of Air Force Week in New York Aug. 24-29.

The team was based at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum located at Pier 86 along the Hudson River on Midtown Manhattan's west side, where the AFGSC display booth allowed an opportunity to showcase the Command's mission to thousands of visitors.

"I feel it's important to give the public confidence in our stewardship of the nation's most powerful weapons, and to stress that our goal in life is to provide stability to the world's situation--to deter potential adversaries and assure our allies and friends," said Major Calhoun, a B-2 and B-52 pilot who is a volunteer for the AFGSC civic outreach team.

Major Calhoun and Lt. Col. Chas Peterson, who are both from the AFGSC plans, programs and requirements division, along with more than a dozen other Airmen from across the Air Force, represented the service on ABC's Good Morning America broadcast Aug. 25 from the show's Times Square studio.

"This was a great opportunity to see the broadcast in person and more importantly, reach out to a national audience," Major Calhoun said. He said the team hopes that the broadcast served to draw positive attention to the events of New York City's Air Force Week, as well as highlight the service of Airmen across the nation.

Capt. Debbie Miller, another outreach volunteer, said she especially enjoys talking to the children and young people during Air Force Week activities.

"I try to emphasize that we're always looking for quality people, because that's what makes our weapons systems effective," she said.

One of the young people who stopped by the AFGSC display was James Masbach of Cranford, N.J. He was especially impressed with the discipline he saw displayed by the Air Force units at the Intrepid, and the technology the Air Force had in its weapons systems.

"[The Air Force] is highly-advanced with a lot of neat technology," he said. "I like that."

James said he enjoyed visiting with Major Calhoun about the aircraft the major has had the opportunity to fly during his time in the Air Force.

Major Calhoun said he felt that breaking down the barriers that sometimes exist between the public and the military was one of the best parts of interacting with the public during Air Force Week.

During the three-day event, the team talked with hundreds of local and international visitors, handed out information on AFGSC, and spent time answering questions about the Command and the Air Force in general.

Despite a rainy start to the week, Capt. Angela Webb from the Air Force National Outreach Office said Air Force Week activities went very well, including an Aug. 24 visit from the Secretary of the Air Force the Hon. Michael Donley, a flyover from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and many other events throughout the city.

"It turned out to be an amazing experience," Captain Webb said. "New Yorkers, tourists and many international visitors came out to see what the Air Force was all about, and overall, everyone had a fantastic time."

Air Force Week events offer an opportunity for the men and women of the United States Air Force to share their unique military experiences with members of the local community, and for the Air Force to showcase its Airmen to members of the public, according to officials.