VOL. 62 NO. 45
T H U R S DAY, N OV. 8 , 2018
SPACE OBSERVER P E T E R S O N
A I R
F O R C E
B A S E
Chapman honored with aircraft dedication By Staff Sgt. Victor J. Caputo | 1ST SPECIAL OPERATIONS WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) — The name John Chapman is already well known in the Air Force community, and will now fly across the globe on the side of an iconic aircraft. The Air Force dedicated a Boeing C-32 Master Sgt. John Chapman, during a ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Oct. 26. Chapman was a special tactics combat controller who was posthumously presented the Medal of Honor in August. “Our nation continues to be the land of the free because of brave men like John Chapman," Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson said. “The dedication of this aircraft is just one way we continue to honor John’s legacy.” The aircraft dedication came during a multi-day celebration of Chapman’s life and legacy at Hurlburt Field. Several members of the Chapman family were in attendance, including his widow, Valerie Nessel, and his mother, Terry Chapman. "It was an honor to be here with the Chapman family, to be part of this special tribute to John and his heroic sacrifice for our Nation," said Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein. "The naming of this aircraft will serve to remind those traveling on board 'Chappy'
of the caliber of people who have served as Airmen." The C-32 is used to provide safe, comfortable and reliable transportation for our nation’s leaders to locations around the world. It is often referred to by the distinctive call sign “Air Force Two” when the vice president, one of the aircraft’s primary customers, is on board. It is also used by the first lady and members of the presidential Cabinet and Congress. Chapman’s selfless actions during the Battle of Takur Ghar in Afghanistan in 2002 originally earned him an Air Force Cross medal. A recent review of Air Force Cross and Silver Star medals led to Chapman becoming the first Airman since the Vietnam War, and the first special tactics Airman ever, to be awarded the Medal of Honor. During the celebration of Chapman’s life, his family toured the base and learned first-hand about the impact Chapman has made on the Air Force. In addition to the aircraft dedication, the 24th Special Operations Wing headquarters building, the home of the Air Force’s only Special Tactics wing, was renamed after Chapman.
(U.S. Air force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Conroy)
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) — The family of Master Sgt. John Chapman, leaders from Air Force Special Operations Command and Hurlburt Field, and aircrew of a C-32 assigned to the 89th Airlift Wing pose for a photo following an aircraft dedication ceremony on Oct. 26, 2018, at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The C-32 was dedicated to Chapman, a special tactics combat controller, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Takur Ghar in March 2002, while deployed to Afghanistan. The ceremony was part of a three-day event celebrating Chapman and his achievements.
Condor Crest: 21st Space Wing conducts numerous exercises Robb Lingley | 21ST SPACE WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — The 21st Space Wing held its annual Condor Crest preparedness exercise at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, Oct. 29, Nov. 1, 2018. There were simulated active shooters at Peterson AFB and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, a car ramming the north gate with an artificial explosive device, and a suspicious package at the CMAFS post office. "The exercise went very well," said Col. Todd Moore, 21st SW commander. "Due to the Inspector General office and planning team's detailed planning, the wing was pushed to work through stress(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Kenney) ful scenarios." Active shooters started off the first day of PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Staff Sgt. Vaughn Rivard, 21st Security Forces Squadron patrolman, responds to a simulated active shooter at the gym on Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., Oct. 30, 2018. The active shooter scenario the exercise. Building 101 at CMAFS, the was part of Condor Crest, a bi-annual week-long exercise designed to test emergency responders’ response to Peterson Fitness and Sports Center, and 21st unplanned crisis events. SW headquarters were in play with Moore
INSIDE
being one of the victims. "Multiple attacks were presented the first day to induce a new level of stress," said Moore. "Dealing with one problem can be relatively straightforward but dealing with multiple issues in sequence demands much more. I believe this pushed the wing and provided us new insight on procedures that we can improve upon. " On the second day of Condor Crest a suspicious mail item was discovered at the CMAFS post office. The 21st SW Medical Group bioenvironmental engineering specialists arrived on scene and determined that a powdery substance was actually powdered sugar. The final event of the week was a simulated car See Condor Crest page 4
NEWS 1-20 | BRIEFS 4 | CLASSIFIED 21 | CROSSWORD 23
CADETS EARN BRONZE MEDAL
VETERANS DAY PARADE
PAGE 5
PAGE 12
SURGEON INNOVATES WITH FLEXDEX PAGE 16
AF WEEK IN PHOTOS PAGE 19