SEATTLE - The Museum of Flight won't get to display one of the retiring space shuttles, but Seattle's air and space museum will get a consolation prize of a full-scale training mock-up that looks like the space shuttle without wings.

The museum near Boeing Field was one of 21 museum and science centers around the country hoping to land one of the spaceships. A new $12 million building called the Space Gallery is being prepared for the display.

Of the space shuttles that actually flew in space, the Discovery will be going to the Smithsonian Institution. It will take the place of Enterprise, the shuttle prototype used for tests in the late 1970s. The Enterprise will be going to Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York.

The shuttle Atlantis is going to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and the Endeavor is going to the California Science Center in Los Angeles.

Seattle museum visitors will be allowed to climb aboard and try out the full-size training module, which has been used by every astronaut and is the only one of its kind. Visitors won't be allowed to climb aboard the actual shuttles, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire noted in announcing why the consolation prize is a "true win" for the people of Washington.

"It will help inspire young people to the adventure of space and to the excitement of a career in science, technology, engineering and math," the governor added in her written statement.

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash.  -- The next phase in gate upgrades is coming soon to the McChord Field Main Gate on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and drivers should prepare for more traffic pattern changes beginning the evening of April 13. 

Contractors will begin Phase 2 of the construction project on that date with completion scheduled by May 2. 

The new phase brings new traffic detours and diversions for access to the gate, said McChord Field's Installation Security and Plans Chief David Lenart. Currently, traffic is reduced to one inbound and outbound lane in what was the original lane leading out of McChord prior to construction's start. Phase 2 will shift traffic to the original inbound lanes, allowing contractors to cut across the roadway and lay new electrical wiring. 

Access to the visitor center will change as well. Motorists should pay close attention to signage directing them to entry and exit points. 

The current physical upgrades will improve the power infrastructure at and near the gates, said JBLM Chief of Security and Access Control Mel Austin. That includes improved physical protection features for security personnel, improved information systems connectivity and installing backup power generators and lights. 

One major vehicle restriction is being placed on incoming and outgoing traffic through the McChord Main Gate - no oversized vehicles, Lenart said. Because the road entering McChord Field is narrower than the outbound lane and has a sharp turn around the visitor center, security officials are asking that people driving tractor-trailers, RVs and military vehicles use either the Commercial Gate or Barnes Gate, both located on Perimeter Road. 

No vehicle or vehicle and trailer combination longer than 27 feet should attempt to enter or exit through the Main Gate. 

The Commercial Gate will be open 24 hours daily throughout this phase of construction.

Traffic safety officials are asking everyone in the JBLM community who use the McChord Field Main Gate to continue the level of understanding they have already shown this past month during Phase 1. 

Construction update information will be communicated through the Northwest Guardian, website updates and on readerboards and poster boards located throughout McChord. 

"McChord customers have been very accommodating for the construction," Lenart said.

"Construction is going well and people are following directions well."    

This from Air Force Times: The House Armed Services Committee chairman sought Monday to reassure service members who are worried about not being paid if the government shuts down because he believes a fiscal crisis will be averted.

Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., said he doesn't think a government shutdown will happen at the end of the week because he believes lawmakers will agree on a budget.

If there is a shutdown, he doesn't see it lasting more than a few days, which would not affect the April 15 military payday. And, if the military cannot make the April 15 payroll because of a shutdown, service members will not lose any money because they will be fully paid once funding is restored, McKeon said in a meeting with reporters.

"I think we are mature enough to get this fixed," McKeon said of the standoff on the 2011 budget that was supposed to have been approved by the start of the fiscal year on Oct. 1.

MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- For the third year in a row, the McChord Field contingent to Operation Deep Freeze set records for most missions, flying hours and cargo hauled in Antarctica.

Up to thirteen Reservists per rotation from the 446th Airlift Wing here, along with Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing, rotated in and out of Christchurch, New Zealand from August 2010 to February 2011, providing airlift of cargo and personnel into and out of McMurdo Station. Antarctica. 

Operation Deep Freeze, which the 446th Airlift Wing supports flying the C-17, is the U.S. military's support of science and research activities conducted by the U.S. Antarctic Program at McMurdo Station Antarctica.

At the beginning of the season, known as WINFLY, McChord crews moved more than 490 passengers and 442 thousand pounds of cargo. 

This season also marked the first time C-17 crews planned and flew four missions using night vision goggles, extending their capability to deliver supplies anytime in the season.

The Airmen from McChord, operating as the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, airdropped cargo at the South Pole Station in December, providing proficiency training on such missions for both the air and ground crews.

"Year after year, the men and women of the Joint Task Force execute their mission in this challenging environment, whether by land, sea, or air. Their work supports important scientific research by the NSF and the USAP." said Col. Paul Sheppard, deputy commander, Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica (JTF-SFA). "Antarctica is no place for complacency. The impressive safety records of the LC-130, C-17, and heavy sealift assets are evidence that our military support forces do their jobs smartly."

"The pace and complexity (of this season) was very similar to past seasons; until the earthquake," said Chief Master Sgt. Jim Masura, 446th Operations Group. 

Deployed personnel were subject to the unknown force of Mother Nature. Several groups were exposed to earthquakes, including the 6.3 magnitude quake which destroyed most of the central business district and killed over 180 people. No McChord personnel or equipment were damaged.

"In the past, Christchurch was similar to what you find at home - stability. You knew you had a bed, hot water, food, and etcetera. After the earthquake, you were not sure what you were coming back to at the hotel. Did the group have food, safe shelter, and a hot shower before they flew. The staff had to factor all of this into the decision process."

Not only did the Reserve and active-duty Airmen support the U.S. National Science Foundation, they carried participants from the Italian, New Zealand, Australian, Russian, Norwegian and French Antarctic programs. 

The crews also participated in an Australian Rescue Coordination Center-directed search and recovery effort of a downed French helicopter near the French research station in October, 2010. Rescheduling passengers and adjusting fuel loads, the C-17 flew over the search area en route to McMurdo, but saw nothing due to bad weather. On its return to Christchurch, the aircrew again piloted the C-17 over the search area, where an accompanying Australian AP-3C Orion surveillance aircraft crew spotted the crash scene.

But the most difficult mission of the season, at least for Chief Masura, was the last one.

"The final mission is tough knowing that other than one more flight by the Australian A319, they (the scientists at McMurdo Station) would not have any more support or see any new people until late August. You just hope they have everything they needed," said the Chief.    

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash.  -- Have you noticed a shocking number of mustaches lately? Airmen and civilians across McChord Field are participating in the month-long Mustache March tradition, which can be traced through Air Force history back to the days of the Vietnam War.

Mustache March originated in 1965 when Brig. Gen. Robin Olds, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing commander, grew what he referred to as a "bulletproof mustache." At the time, mustaches weren't authorized in the military, let alone the eccentric handlebar mustache worn by the commander. General Olds, who was far from home on a military base in Southeast Asia, thought the facial hair defined his individuality and brought him good luck, so he kept it and displayed it proudly. 

When General Olds returned to the states a month later, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. McConnell, who was not fond of Olds' defiance, greeted him. General McConnell approached him, stuck a finger under his nose and ordered him to remove it immediately. General Olds replied, "Yes, sir." 

"To tell the truth, I wasn't all that fond of the [mustache], but it had become a symbol for the men of the 8th Wing," said General Olds. "I knew General McConnell understood. During his visits over the past year, he had never referred to my breach of military standards; he just seemed rather amused at the variety of facial hair sported by the troops. It was the most direct order I had received in twenty-four years of service."

Thus, the roots of Mustache March were born. Airmen and retirees Air Force wide now devote one month of mustache maintenance a year as a fun tradition, and to pay to tribute to the late General Olds, who passed away in 2007. 

Since the Vietnam era, the Air Force has established regulations and guidelines for the proper wear and upkeep of a mustache. According to article 17.5.2.2 of the Air Force Professional Development Guide, "mustaches, if worn, will not extend downward beyond the lip line of the upper lip or extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corners of the mouth." 

As the end of March 2011 approaches, Airmen can take the next year to read about General Olds and practice good Air Force facial hair etiquette in preparation for next Mustache March. 

(Airforcetimes.com and Airforce-magazine.com contributed to this report.)    

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- A C-17 Globemaster III from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., landed at Aviano Air Base on a mission in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn on March 20, 2011. 

Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn is the U.S. Africa Command task force established to support the larger international response to the unrest in Libya. A broad coalition of nations are partnering to enforce U.N. Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973, which authorizes all necessary means to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Qadhafi regime forces. 

Joint Base Lewis-McChord is home to the active duty 62nd Airlift Wing and the Air Force Reserve's 446th Airlift Wing. Both wings operate the C-17 Globemaster III.    

SAN ANTONIO  -- Air Force Services Agency officials here recently announced the call for three Air Force teen camps for 2011.

The annual camps are designed to help Air Force youth build leadership skills and/or aspire to careers in space or aviation.

The Teen Aviation Camp will be held June 4-9 at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., and is designed to give youth an experience that will help them decide if aviation or the academy is a career choice. Participants will get to fly inside a Cessna 145 among other aviation activities. Applications for this camp are due by April 1.

The Teen Leadership Camp will be held July 11-15 at the University of Texas at San Antonio. This camp will give youth a glimpse of what university life is like while developing their leadership skills. Activities include team building, rope courses, conflict resolution and public speaking. Applications for this camp are due by April 15.

The Air Force Services Space Camp will be held July 24-29 at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. The camp allows youth to experience, imagine and interact through space shuttle mission simulations, tours of the space center and the chance to witness everyday challenges faced by astronauts. Applications for this camp are due by April 15.

All applicants must be a dependent of an active, Guard, Reserve or retired Air Force member or an Air Force civilian. Applicants must be entering their Sophomore or Junior year this fall to apply for the aviation camp, while the leadership camp is open to students who completed their Freshmen year. The space camp is open to youth ages 12-18. 

Teens interested in applying must complete a nomination registration form and submit the form to their installation youth program. Selected participants will be notified approximately three to four weeks after the application deadline.

Attendees will only be responsible for transportation costs; all lodging, meals and program costs will be at no charge to participants. 

For more information about each camp or on Air Force youth programs, visit www.afyouthprograms.com.