Tag Archives: Military

USAFA Defends National Prayer Luncheon

The Air Force Academy has filed affidavits in response to the MRFF lawsuit seeking to prevent the 10th Air Base Wing’s National Prayer Luncheon.  The event is scheduled for this Thursday, with USMC Lt (Ret) Clebe McClary as the key (but not only) speaker.

The Air Force Times indicates Chaplain (LtCol) Dwayne Peoples discussed the Chapel- (not command-) sponsorship of the event, and Col. Todd W. Robison, 10ABW Vice Commander, described the use of the government email announcing the event.  The paper notes LtCol Robert Kraus and Capt Jackson Grant also filed affidavits, though their content is not described.

Air Force Pilot, UAV Bonus Continues in 2011

The Air Force announced it would continue the “pilot bonus,” formally known as Aviator Continuation Pay (ACP), in 2011.  The program gives a bonus to pilots and now UAV pilots for a commitment extending beyond their initial service requirement.  For most pilots, this occurs 10 years after they graduate from pilot training.

As in past years, these aircrew can accept a $25,000 per year bonus for an additional commitment of five years.  A second (lower) level is offered for those who did not take the bonus the first time they were eligible.

For the first time, Air Battle Managers and Combat System Operators (formerly known as WSOs or Navs) are not eligible, because their “career field has stabilized.”

Iraq Buys F-16s…or Not

The Stars and Stripes notes the inadvertent release of a draft announcement that Iraq had agreed to purchase 18 F-16s, something it has wanted for years.  As it turns out, the Iraqi government has not yet approved the purchase, making the release premature.

F-16s aren’t the only things Iraq wants.

“They’d like F-16s and, you know, Polaris submarines and aircraft carriers and a whole bunch of other things,” then-Lt. Gen. David Petraeus told reporters in 2005.

MRFF Allies Within USAFA Continue PR Push

As previously noted, Michael Weinstein’s MRFF seems to boast “insiders” at the US Air Force Academy.

The most recent is Barry Fagin, who writes a column at the Colorado Springs Gazette — and also serves on the faculty at the US Air Force Academy.  Fagin is a member of the Rocky Mountain “Skeptics” and a recipient of the Michael Weinstein’s 2009 MRFF Thomas Jefferson “award.”  He recently wrote an article defending Michael Weinstein from public criticisms over his lawsuit against the US Air Force Academy’s upcoming National Prayer Luncheon.  (Weinstein described the article as “perfect.”)  Fagin described Weinstein as “not anti-Christian,” and said

The vast majority of people who illegally cross the border separating church and state are Christians. So they are the majority of those caught and punished by the courts.

Of course, he failed to cite any factual cases of military Christians “caught and punished” by any court.  Still, it appears he would like to see Christians court-martialed for expressing beliefs consistent with mainstream Christianity.  In replying to the comments on his article, he said  Read more

General Gould Addresses McClary USAFA Prayer Luncheon

According to an Air Force Academy press release, General Michael Gould, USAFA Superintendent, had this to say about the upcoming National Prayer Luncheon:

[Gould] took on what he called “the big elephant” surrounding the Air Force Academy in the media in recent weeks: the National Prayer Luncheon, scheduled to be held at the Falcon Club Feb. 10. The event will feature retired Marine Lt. Clebe McClary as keynote speaker in addition to readings from followers of Buddhist, Jewish, Protestant, Catholic and Islamic faiths.

“Let me just set something straight: this is Read more

President Obama to Speak at National Prayer Breakfast

Update: The nearly 2 hour Prayer Breakfast is available on C-SPAN video.

According to the Christian Post, President Obama will speak today at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington.  He previously did the same last year; Admiral Mullen also attended last year.

Astronaut Mark Kelly, husband to wounded Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords, will reportedly deliver the closing prayer.

Obama is Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces; Kelly is a US Navy Captain.  Military members have routinely taken part in prayer functions every year on bases around the world, just as they will this year in places like Fort Jackson, SC.

The military’s defense of their religious freedom ensures their continued ability to do so, despite the unConstitutional demands of those who would take away the rights of the troops.

Finding a Church, Part 1: The Military Chapel

Being a Christian in the military sometimes creates challenges in situations civilians take for granted.  For example, how do you find a church?  The concept of a “home church” and steady lifelong attendance takes on a whole new meaning when you move every two to four years.

As a military Christian, the single most important thing you can do when you arrive at a new assignment is establish your spiritual support, and finding a church is crucial to that end.  There are many options and no single correct answer.  Some people prefer the locale and access of the military chapel; others, the non-military feel of community churches.  Each option has its positives and negatives — the only ‘bad’ choice is to do nothing.

The Base Chapel

As a military Christian, when you arrive at a new assignment your  Read more

Gazette Slams Weinstein’s USAFA Lawsuit

The editorial page of the Colorado Springs Gazette, local to the US Air Force Academy, came down with both feet on Michael Weinstein’s MRFF, clearly saying Weinstein’s group “opposes the free exercise of religion in government.”  The article, entitled “Anti-religion suit is based on a myth,” was written by editor Wayne Laugesen in response to Weinstein’s lawsuit precipitated by the invitation USMC Lt (Ret) Clebe McClary to the Academy National Prayer Luncheon.  Laugesen said

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation, a group that opposes the free exercise of religion in government, is suing U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michael Gould in an effort to forcefully censor an evangelical Christian from speaking at the National Prayer Luncheon — a private event scheduled for Feb. 10 at the academy. (emphasis added)

The paper also jabbed at Weinstein’s lawyer and Weinstein’s own demonstrated record in the American judicial system:  Read more

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