KMC on the radar: Celebrate 60th at concert series

Brig. Gen. Rich Johnston
KMC and 86th Airlift Wing commander


***image1***Come out and help the KMC celebrate the U.S. Air Force’s 60th birthday today at the Summer Concert Series at 6 p.m. in Donnelly Park.  The concert is free and open to all KMC members.

The celebratory event will include music by U.S. Air Forces in Europe bands Check Six and Wings of Dixie. There will also be a special guest, retired Lt. Col. William Gregory, who has piloted more than 40 types of aircraft including the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

Colonel Gregory commissioned from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1979 and served as a fighter pilot and an instructor pilot flying the F-111 at RAF Lakenheath, and Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. After graduating from test pilot school in 1987, he served at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., as a test pilot flying the F-4, A-7D and all five models of the F-15 Eagle. 

In 1990, he was selected by NASA and became an astronaut in 1991. On March 2, 1995, Colonel Gregory piloted the seven-person astronomical research mission that traveled nearly seven million miles and completed 262 orbits. 

Colonel Gregory traveled to the KMC from his home in Arizona to celebrate our 60th anniversary as a service. I hope to see you and your families at the concert to enjoy the music and to meet Colonel Gregory.  (See the “Take Note”  on page 4 for parking information)