2008 Year in Review

2008 Year in review photo key Row 1: 1) Jan. through March 2008—Preparation for the 2008 Operational Readiness Inspection— 94th AW Airmen practice chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosive (CBRNE) survival skills in preparation for the 2008 ORI. 2) Feb 2008—Center spread for African-American History Month listing the milestone achievements of African-Americans in aviation. 3) April 2008—Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets goggle-up for C-130 orientation flight. 4) April 2008—ROTC Cadet Charlton Freeman ensures the correct number of students is accounted for during the JROTC orientation flight event at Dobbins ARB. Row 2: 1) June 2008—A World War II veteran gives a salute of respect during the 2008 celebration of the June 6 Allied Invasion of Normandy. 2) June 2008—Town elders provide a ceremonial entrance with French Flags for people attending a memorial service at the Brittany American Cemetery at St. James, France. The 700th Airlift Squadron participated in the re-enactment of the D-Day Invasion in France. 3) July 2008—An Explosive Ordnance Disposal Reservist demonstrates EOD robot capabilities during a tour for employers of Dobbins reservists during Employers’ Day. 4) July 2008—A 94th Security Forces Squadron member lectures on the equipment used by security forces specialists. Row 3: 1) July 2008—ORI participants reference the Airman’s Manual for an evaluator. 2) September 2008—Tree planting ceremony honoring military members who are and were in Prisoners of War/Missing in Action status. 3) September 2008—Col. Heath Nuckolls, 94th AW commander, and retired Lt. Col. James Williams, Vietnam veteran and former POW celebrate the plaque dedicated to Vietnam War veterans in Prisoners of War/Missing in Action status at the POW/MIA Memorial Park at Dobbins. 4) September 2008—A plaque is dedicated during the 2008 POW/MIA ceremony by the World War II 459th Bombardment Group H Association, in memory of the members of the B-24 Liberator crews who lost their lives in service to the United States Army Air Corps. 5) October 2008— More than 200,000 visitors attended the Wings over Marietta Airshow at Dobbins ARB. 6) October 2008—The USAF Thunderbirds, flying in a four-ship formation, was one of several Air Force demonstration teams at the Wings over Marietta Airshow. Row 4: 1) October 2008—Maj. Tyrone Douglas, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds No. 6 F-16 pilot, signs autographs during airshow. 2) November 2008—Air Force Reserve and international military members at the Training and Certification Center at Dobbins ARB pay tribute to veterans on Veterans Day. 3) November 2008— Master Sgt. Geambro Wells, 94th Civil Engineering Squadron first sergeant, greets Cobb County elementary school student during presentation on Veterans Day. 4) November 2008—Col. Steven Clayton, 94th Operations Group commander, presents his civilian honorary commander counterpart a gift during the Honorary Commanders Association’s relinquish of command ceremony. 5) November 2008—Retired Master Sgt. Carl Beck, World War II paratrooper, is one of several war-experienced veterans who spoke at the 700th Airlift Squadron’s Air Warrior Briefings during unit training assembly weekends in 2008. 6) Dec. 2008—Maj. Andre Wright, 628th Civil Engineering Flight, receives the officer oath of office from retired Army Maj. Gen. Donna F. Barbisch at Walker Middle School in Marietta, Ga. Major Wright's promotion ceremony was sponsored by middle-school students through the coordination of Mrs. Heather Whitehead. Row 5: Minuteman front covers are displayed in chronological order for 2008. (Graphic by Tech. Sgt. Nick Ontiveros; U.S. Air Force photos/94th AW Public Affairs staff; courtesy photos at Normandy, France by Maj. Todd Copley)

Runway renovations

A construction crew member drills into the runway to remove a segment of concrete required to replace aging runway lighting. The runway was closed Aug. 18 through Sept. 19 during the renovation. (Air Force photo/Don Peek)