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National Museum of Intelligence and Special Operations Conceptual Design Has Been Honored With A 2019 Architectural Design Award

Wednesday, September 18th, 2019

Recipients of Chicago Athenaeum’s 2019 American Architecture Awards have just been announced. Winners will be recognized at an awards gala on October 10th and featured in the forthcoming New American Architecture (Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd).

Now in its 25th year, the American Architecture Awards are the highest public awards given in the United States by a non-commercial, non-trade affiliated, public arts, culture, and educational institution. They are also the centerpiece of The Chicago Athenaeum and European Centre’s efforts to identify and promote best practices in all types of architectural development, as well as recognize design excellence and the best and next contributions to innovative contemporary American architecture.

“For 25 years, the American Architecture Awards have presented stunning and meticulously- designed projects that demonstrate quality architecture in the service of clients, as well as the general public, no matter the scale of project,” states Christian Narkiewicz-Laine, Museum President, The Chicago Athenaeum. “This year’s winning projects are the buildings that are profoundly shaping American architecture in the 21st-Century. Today’s celebrated award; tomorrow’s landmark.”

The 2019 entries were reviewed and winners selected by a prestigious jury composed of Miami based architects, educators, and developers including Alejandro Gonzalez of Arquitectonica (ARQ), Carlos Rosso of The Related Group, Luis O. Revuelta of Revuelta Architecture, Peter J. Studl (former Chairman) of The Chicago Athenaeum, Paolo Trevisan of Pininfarina of America, and Sebastian Salvat of Fortune International Realty.

Among the winners of the 2019 American Architecture Awards is the conceptual design for the anticipated 57,500-square-foot, National Museum of Intelligence and Special Operations. The effort is spearheaded by the OSS Society and will be built just north of Dulles International Airport, about 30 miles west of Washington, DC. Designed by Fentress Architects, the envisioned museum plans to educate the American public about the importance of strategic intelligence and special operations to the preservation of freedom, honor Americans who have served at the “tip of the spear” and inspire future generations to serve their country.

Curt Fentress, Principal in Charge of Design at Fentress Architects said, “The concept of the museum’s landmark design was inspired by the spearhead, a symbol used by the intelligence and special operations communities since World War II. The spearhead shape will define the footprint of the museum, which will be visible from the flight path of Dulles International Airport.”

Symbol of the OSS revealed in site plan

Side view of walkway to events pavilion

Events space

“Tip of the Spear” Pavilion

Posted in History, Memorial, Press Release | 3 Comments »

Happy Birthday US Air Force

Wednesday, September 18th, 2019

It’s been 72 glorious years!

Posted in Air Force, History | 1 Comment »

Tank Museum Flame Thrower Day

Thursday, September 5th, 2019

The AAF Tank Museum is hosting Flame Thrower Day.

There will be three demos, 11:30, 1:00 and 2:30, come rain or shine.

Their address is:

3401 U S Highway 29

Danville, Virginia 24540

Posted in History | 8 Comments »

Here’s To The Maintainers

Monday, September 2nd, 2019

It seems rather fitting to me that on this Labor Day I should share an Air Force heritage video on its maintainers.

Here’s to my Father, Father-in-law, Mother-in-law and Son, along with all of those other AF Maintainers past and present who kept our planes flying so this noner could jump out of them.

Posted in Air Force, Forces Focus, History | Comments Off on Here’s To The Maintainers

“The Last Full Measure” – Coming This October

Monday, September 2nd, 2019

“The Last Full Measure” is the story of Pararescueman William Pitsenbarger who was the first enlisted member of the Air Force to be awarded the Air Force Cross for actions on April 11, 1966 at Can My, Republic of Vietnam.

‘Pitz’as he was known, had joined the Air Force right out of High School and volunteered for Pararescue during Basic Training. A1C Pitsenbarger had flown over 300 combat rescue missions when he succumbed to wounds during that battle, having remained on the ground with the Army unit he had been dispatched to help rescue.

On December 8th, 2000, his Air Force Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor. He was also posthumously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

His Medal of Honor citation reads:

Airman First Class Pitsenbarger distinguished himself by extreme valor on April 11, 1966 near Cam My, Republic of Vietnam, while assigned as a Pararescue Crew Member, Detachment 6, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. On that date, Airman Pitsenbarger was aboard a rescue helicopter responding to a call for evacuation of casualties incurred in an on-going firefight between elements of the United States Army’s 1st Infantry Division and a sizable enemy force approximately 35 miles east of Saigon. With complete disregard for personal safety, Airman Pitsenbarger volunteered to ride a hoist more than one hundred feet through the jungle, to the ground. On the ground, he organized and coordinated rescue efforts, cared for the wounded, prepared casualties for evacuation, and insured that the recovery operation continued in a smooth and orderly fashion. Through his personal efforts, the evacuation of the wounded was greatly expedited. As each of the nine casualties evacuated that day were recovered, Pitsenbarger refused evacuation in order to get one more wounded soldier to safety. After several pick-ups, one of the two rescue helicopters involved in the evacuation was struck by heavy enemy ground fire and was forced to leave the scene for an emergency landing. Airman Pitsenbarger stayed behind, on the ground, to perform medical duties. Shortly thereafter, the area came under sniper and mortar fire. During a subsequent attempt to evacuate the site, American forces came under heavy assault by a large Viet Cong force. When the enemy launched the assault, the evacuation was called off and Airman Pitsenbarger took up arms with the besieged infantrymen. He courageously resisted the enemy, braving intense gunfire to gather and distribute vital ammunition to American defenders. As the battle raged on, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to care for the wounded, pull them out of the line of fire, and return fire whenever he could, during which time, he was wounded three times. Despite his wounds, he valiantly fought on, simultaneously treating as many wounded as possible. In the vicious fighting which followed, the American forces suffered 80 percent casualties as their perimeter was breached, and airman Pitsenbarger was finally fatally wounded. Airman Pitsenbarger exposed himself to almost certain death by staying on the ground, and perished while saving the lives of wounded infantrymen. His bravery and determination exemplify the highest professional standards and traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Air Force.

Look for “The Last Full Measure” in select theaters on October 25th, 2019.

Posted in Air Force, Battlefield Airman, History | 1 Comment »

SCUBAPRO Sunday – Landing on Mainland Japan

Sunday, September 1st, 2019

Amphibious Landings Tokyo Bay, 28 August – 2 September 1945

On 20 August 1945 UDT 21 ( now SEAL Team Four) embarked onto the USS Begor from Guam. They were going to be part of the occupation force heading for Japan. On 28 Aug 1945 UDT 21 became the first U.S military unit to set foot on Japanese home soil. They were going to recon the landing beaches and ensure that that all fortifications were neutralized. When they landed, LCDR Edward P. Clayton, (back to camera) Commanding Officer UDT 21, was presented with the first sword surrendered to an American force on mainland Japanese. It was given to him by an Army Coastal Artillery Major (opposite Clayton), at Futtsu-Misaki Point, across from Yokosuka Naval Base. When word got back to macarthur that LCDR Clayton, had received what could be considered the official surrender of all troop on mainland Japan, he ordered that the sword is giving back, so the general could expect it. ( yes I am not a fan of the general)

The next day UDT 21 landed at Yokosuka Naval Base. They cleared the docks for the first U.S. warship to dock in Japan. The team remained in Tokyo Bay until 8 Sept. Then it was tasked with locating the remaining Kamikaze, two-person submarines. With the end of the war, the navy draw-down from about 31 UDT teams to just two, one on each coast: UDT Baker and UDT Easy.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, History, Maritime | 5 Comments »

Inglorious Amateurs – T-28 Memorial T-shirt

Saturday, August 31st, 2019

Rhos T-shirt pays tribute to the exploits of the courageous pilots of the Agency’s proprietary air companies.

The design features a strafing T-28, like those that flew in Africa and Southwest Asia. In particular, this design features the Congolese flag as well as other markers for those in the know, all flying over the outline of the Congo.

A percentage of the proceeds from this pre-sale will be donated to the Third Option Foundation. “Quietly Helping Those Who Quietly Serve”?

Pre-order In Military Green or Indigo, sizes Medium through 2XLarge.

www.ingloriousamateurs.com/products/t-28-memorial

Inglorious Amateurs suggests you check out the works of Ted Gup in “The Book of Honor” as well as Dick Holms’ “The Craft We Chose” for the relevant backstory.

Posted in Clothing, Fundraising, History, Memorial | Comments Off on Inglorious Amateurs – T-28 Memorial T-shirt

Special Air Warfare And The Secret War In Laos

Sunday, August 18th, 2019

Air University Press has released “Special Air Warfare And The Secret War In Laos: Air Commandos 1964-75”. Download your copy at media.defense.gov.

Posted in Air Force, History, SOF | Comments Off on Special Air Warfare And The Secret War In Laos