USAF Band wins Gil Robb Wilson Award

Lt. Col. Alan Sierichs (third from left), the United States Air Force Band commander, accepts the Gill Robb Wilson Award from Air Force Association Chairman of the Board Joseph Sutter Sept. 14, 2009, during the Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C. The award is presented annually to an Air Force unit for outstanding contributions to national defense in the field of arts and letters. Also pictured (left to right) are: Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Band Manager Chief Master Sergeant Jerry Thomas Jr. and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael J. Pausic)

SecDEF announces return of KC-X program

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates addresses the audience at the Air Force Association's 2009 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 16, 2009, in Washington, D.C. The three-day conference features more than 130 exhibitors and more than three dozen speakers and panelists discussing topics of key interest in today's Air Force and aerospace development. (Defense Department photo/Cherie Cullen)

AFA

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz congratulates former 1st Lt. Dolphin Overton III today after presenting him the Distinguished Service Cross during the Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 15, 2009, at Oxon Hill, Md. Lieutenant Overton received the medal after the Military Board of Corrections validated his actions of heroism while serving in South Korea in 1952. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)

AFA

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz delivers his keynote speech during the Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 15, 2009, at Oxon Hill, Md. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)

A1 addresses AFA convention

Lt. Gen. Richard Newton, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel, addresses conference attendees at the 2009 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 15, 2009, in Washington D.C. During his speech, Gen. Newton discussed "Year of the Air Force Family" and the many challenges Airmen and their families face during the current operations tempo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Stan Parker)

Air Force officials recognize 12 Outstanding Airmen of Year

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Roy welcome conference attendees during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the 2009 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 14, 2009, in Washington D.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Stan Parker)