…on Friday, September 14, at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) is celebrating its 30th anniversary, which officially occurs on September 1st, throughout the month of September. The Space Foundation Salute is the major official public event for the Colorado Springs community.
The event, which begins with a reception at 6:00 p.m., includes dinner, awards presentations and remarks by former Air Force Space Command Commander Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, USAF, Ret. Chilton retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2011 after a distinguished 34-year career that included commanding at the wing, numbered air force, major command and unified combatant command levels. He served as commander of U.S. Strategic Command and of Air Force Space Command and spent 11 years with NASA, where he piloted two Space Shuttle missions and served as commander of STS-76. Chilton is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering science. He holds a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University, New York, N.Y., where he was a Guggenheim Fellow. Chilton logged over 704 hours in space and has more than 5,000 hours flying on eight different types of aircraft/spacecraft, including the Space Shuttle. Chilton will be introduced by current AFSPC Commander Gen. William L. Shelton, Jr., USAF. Space Foundation Chief Executive Officer Elliot Pulham will serve as master of ceremonies.
Three major awards, all of which have historically been presented during other local events, will be presented during the gathering:
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The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Rocky Mountain Chapter‘s General James V. Hartinger Award, which is presented annually for significant contribution to the military space mission of the United States. Hartinger was AFSPC’s first commander.
Air Force Association (AFA) Lance P. Sijan Chapter‘s General Jerome F. O’Malley Distinguished Space Leadership Award, which recognizes the contributions of leaders in achieving O’Malley’s vision of “providing an intensified space focus and reorienting Air Force philosophy toward an operational approach by advocating the operational use of space systems at the highest levels of the Air Force.”
Induction of winners of the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneer Award, which recognizes individuals who have played a significant role in the history of Air Force space and missile programs.
The Space Foundation Presents a 30th Anniversary Salute to Air Force Space Command is a community event open to military and civilian alike. Two levels of tables, both of which provide optimum seating and help underwrite the cost of tickets for junior-level military guests who otherwise might not be able to attend, are available. Event attire is business for civilian attendees and service dress/class A uniform for military attendees.
