Active duty and Reserve aircrews assigned to 62d and 446th Airlift Wing will depart McChord Field Monday for Pakistan Humanitarian Relief operations.

The United States has responded immediately and generously to Pakistan's call for assistance following the tragic and devastating floods that started on July 29.

"The U.S. is committed to the welfare of the people of Pakistan and will continue to provide assistance during this period of terrible suffering," said Col. Kevin J. Kilb, 62nd Airlift Wing commander. "The U.S. government applauds the Government of Pakistan efforts to provide support to its citizens and stands ready, with the international community, to further support these efforts."

The McChord Field Chapel Support Center hosts a deployed families dinner at 6 p.m. Monday (Aug. 23).

The Chapel Support Center is located across the street from the base theater.

Tech. Sgts. Steven Ostrander and Robert Fitzpatrick, both assigned to the 62nd Security Forces Squadron at McChord Field, received Bronze Star medals Aug. 18 for their leadership, forward thinking and technical knowledge during their deployments supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

For more on the airmen and what they did, click here.

Members of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron deployed to the desert dropped more than 1,192,000 pounds to 22 different drop zones, including fuel, water, food and additional supplies needed by servicemembers on the ground at forward operating bases across the area of responsibility.

The endeavor, called Operation Everest, took place over the course of one week, and was an effort headed by the 816th EAS to "fully exercise the C-17 (Globemaster III) theater drop capability," said Lt. Col. Stephen Ritter, the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron commander.

For more on the mission, click here.

The Mustang West car club hosts a "Pride in Your Ride" car and bike show from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at The Play Pen, 3811 Pacific Ave. S.E., Lacey.

The club will be selling tickets as part of a 50/50 raffle, with the proceeds being donated to the Wounded Warrior Transition Battalion. For more information, e-mail olympiamustangs@comcast.net.

VetsMeetVets, a local organization that works to connect recent veterans with more seasoned veterans and the services of their local area, hosts a picnic from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the American Lake picnic area.    

The event is open to all active duty and past duty veterans and their families.

Guests are asked to bring a prepackaged food item because there is no electricity at the picnic area to keep food hot. Organizers are also encouraging guests to bring lawn chairs, lawn games and musical instruments.

The VA hospital at American Lake is located at 9600 Veterans Dr., Lakewood.

For more information, visit www.vetsmeetvets.org or call (253) 861-7100.

Wondering what the window-rattling booms were Tuesday afternoon? The two loud sonic booms heard around the Seattle area shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday were caused by two F-15 jets, Allen Kenitzer, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration, told the Seattle Times.

The fighters were scrambled from the 142nd Oregon Air National Guard Wing in Portland.

For more on the story, click here.

Apparently the Air Force is looking for a new short phrase that has the staying power of the Marine Corps' "Semper Fidelis," according to a story in Air Force Times.  

Air Force officials have already conducted focus groups and have more scheduled, according to the story.

Leadership is hoping to unveil the new motto in late September.

For more on the story, click here.   

This from the Anchorage Daily News: The military today released the names of the crew members killed Wednesday evening in the crash of a Boeing C-17 cargo jet at Elmendorf Air Force Base.

The crew was:

• Maj. Michael Freyholtz, a pilot assigned to the Alaska Air National Guard's 249th Airlift Squadron.
• Maj. Aaron Malone, also a pilot assigned to the 249th Airlift Squadron.
• Capt. Jeffrey Hill, a pilot assigned to Elmendorf's 517th Airlift Squadron.
• Master Sgt. Thomas Cicardo, 249th Airlift Squadron loadmaster.

"We come to work with immense sorrow after four of our fellow airmen lost their lives in the C-17 crash at Elmendorf AFB Wednesday," said Brig. Gen. Charles E. "Chuck" Foster, 176th Wing commander, Alaska Air National Guard.

"They were more than valued Airmen: They were our teammates, friends, family members and fellow Alaskans. We mourn their loss and share the deep sadness of their families."

A board of officers is investigating the accident.

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFNS) -- Four airmen were killed when a C-17 Globemaster III crashed here July 28. Three were members of the Alaska Air National Guard and the other was an active duty servicemember here.
 
"Our deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends of those Airmen killed in this crash. Yesterday, we lost four members of our Arctic Warrior family, and it's a loss felt across our entire joint installation," said Col. John McMullen, the 3rd Wing commander. "Right now, our immediate focus is on providing all possible support to the loved ones of our fallen aviators. We are also engaged in a deliberate investigative process." 

The names of the airmen are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

A board of officers will investigate the accident.

More information will be released as it becomes available.