2007 - Elmendorf's year of change

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class David Carbajal
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Arctic Warriors experienced one of the busiest years on record for Elmendorf during 2007. Some would call it the year of change with aircraft leaving and being replaced with modern airframes. 

Team Elmendorf opened the year with several announcements of award winners, one of which was the 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron. The 3rd CES was named the 2006 Maj. Gen. Robert H. Curtin Large Civil Engineer Unit award winner, the top Air Force award. 

The 517th Airlift Squadron returned from a 29-month deployment in early January. Supporting both Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, the 517th flew 6,000 mishap-free flight hours. 

In late January, Air Force officials announced the closure of Kulis Air National Guard Base, relocating them to Elmendorf in support of Total Force Integration. 

A slow February ended with a visit from Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Pace answered questions from Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Coast Guardsman in a town hall-style meeting at the base theater. 

Nearly a month later, the C-130s assigned to Elmendorf performed their fini flight. After more than 40 years flying over Alaska, the C-130s were transferred to Yokota Air Base, Japan, and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. 

April began with the announcement of the 3rd Wing winning the Outstanding Unit award for Oct. 2005-Sept. 2006. 

The week after winning the Outstanding Unit award, we lost one of our own. 

Senior Master Sgt. Timothy Larson, the 3rd Communications Squadron first sergeant, died April 19 after more than two years as a first sergeant on Elmendorf. 

April 27 marked the final flight of the F-15Es on Elmendorf after more than 15 years of providing top cover over North America. 

In late April, the Elmendorf Fitness Center reopened after a $19-million renovation. 

May began with Honorable Michael W. Wynne, Secretary of the Air Force, visiting Elmendorf to witness the capabilities of Arctic Warriors and to attend the change of command ceremony. Secretary Wynne was among many on hand to witness Brig. Gen. Tom Tinsley, former senior aid to the SecAF, assume command of the 3rd Wing. 

Later that month, the 90th Fighter Squadron received three Raptors to begin maintenance training with the 90th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. 

Sadly, Senior Airman James Henley, 3rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron, died from complications following a stem cell transplant in his fight against Burkitt's lymphoma.
 
The C-17 Globemaster IIIs arrived on Elmendorf June 11. The "Spirit of Denali" was flown by a mixed crew - two pilots and two loadmasters from the active duty Air Force and Alaska Air National Guard. 

A few days later, Air Force officials announced one of Elmendorf's Arctic Warriors was named one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. Senior Airman Matthew Hulsman, 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight, received the news from General Tinsley. 

RED FLAG-Alaska 07-3 brought foreign nationals, such as the Royal Thai Air Force, NATO Forces, the Spanish Air Force, Japan Air Self Defense Force as well as U.S. Navy and personnel from other Air Force bases, to Elmendorf. 

In August, Elmendorf welcomed the most anticipated aircraft in years, the F-22A Raptor. This arrival ceremony hosted Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Gen. Paul Hester, Pacific Air Forces commander, Lt. Gen. John Bradley, Air Force Reserve Command commander, General Tinsley, and Col. Eric Overturf, 477th Fighter Group commander. 

In early October, the 477th FG was activated. Several of the original Tuskegee Airmen were honored and participated in the activation ceremony. The famous African American aviators are known for their combat skills earning two Presidential Unit citations during World War II. 

The 525th Fighter Squadron was officially activated Oct. 29. This squadron marked the second F-22A fighter squadron on Elmendorf. 

The most televised event during the 2007 year was Operation Maggie Migration November 1-2. The lone elephant in Anchorage was transported to Travis AFB, Calif., where she was then driven to the ARK 2000 Wildlife Sanctuary, located about 85 miles east of Travis AFB. 

Thanksgiving Day was the first time the F-22 Raptor was called on an alert to intercept a Russian Tu-95 Bear bomber near the Aleutian Islands. The Raptor was deployed due to grounded F-15Cs. 

To wrap up the year, Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler, the new PACAF commander, visited Elmendorf during his tour of PACAF bases shortly after assuming command. General Chandler was in command of the Alaskan Command, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, 11th Air Force and Joint Task Force Alaska from Sept. 2002-Oct. 2005.