Barksdale hosts teams, participates in Independence Bowl events

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alexandra Longfellow
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Barksdale hosted a tour and dinner for Texas A&M Aggies, Georgia Bulldogs and their families Dec. 24 before they faced-off at the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl football game on Monday at the Independence Stadium in Shreveport.

More than 400 players and family members met at Hoban Hall for a B-52H Stratofortress and A-10 Warthog static tour on the flightline.

"I couldn't believe the B-52 could do so much since they are so old," said Marcus Dowtin, University of Georgia linebacker. "They are such a powerful aircraft. I am glad they are still around."

Barksdale leadership attended the game Monday in support of the Shreveport-Bossier City community. Bowl officials declared a sellout on Dec. 14 for the Independence Bowl game, which the Georgia Bulldogs won 44-20.

The flyover of America's premier heavy bomber for the nationally televised Independence Bowl is symbolic of the close ties between the local community and Barksdale.

A special feature was added to this year's flyover.

"The Air Force Reserve B-52 carried the Litening II Targeting Pod, focused on the Barksdale Honor Guard at the fifty-yard line," said Lt. Col. Jim Macaulay, 917th Operations Group deputy commander. "The live video feed of this sensor was integrated into the Independence Bowl Jumbotron, giving spectators a view of this vital combat capability."

The Air Force Reserve crew of the B-52 flyover and joint tactical air controllers from the Louisiana Air National Guard presented the Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award to the 2009 recipient, the National Football Foundation. The NFF becomes the 34th recipient of the award.

The Omar N. Bradley Award has been presented to outstanding American citizens or organizations that symbolize the spirit of freedom and independence on which our country was founded.

"It was a great rush flying over the stadium seeing and feeling the excitement of the crowd on their feet as we made our pass over," said Col. Keith Shultz, 917th OG pilot. "Having the opportunity to share the sound of freedom with the patriotic crowd at the Independence Bowl was a thrilling experience. It was an honor to participate in the Omar Bradley Award presentation to Archie Manning when you think about the tremendous military heritage we have shared with the bowl. This bond continues well beyond the confines of the stadium with the unparalleled community support for our military men and women at Barksdale."