Photo By Karen Abeyasekere | The Air Force Historical Foundation’s Doolittle Award, one of its highest, was...... read more read more
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Col. Thomas Torkelson, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, accepted the Air Force Historical Foundation’s Doolittle Award for the 100th ARW’s sustained and significant contributions to Air Force history Sept. 27, 2016, in Arlington, Virginia.
The award is named after the pioneering pilot Gen. James Harold “Jimmy” Doolittle, whose career stretched from World War I to the height of the Cold War. His most famous mission was when he led a bomb raid over Tokyo in 1942, which was the first American attack on the Japanese mainland. Doolittle’s 16 aircraft dropped their bombs, but because they didn’t have enough fuel to return to their aircraft carrier, the pilots flew on and had to crash-land in China and the Soviet Union.
According to the Air Force Historical Foundation’s website, the Doolittle Award is one of its most prestigious and recognizes a U.S. Air Force unit that has displayed bravery, determination, discipline, esprit de corps and superior management of joint operations in multiple conflicts. This is the first time it has been presented to a mobility air forces wing.
Jonna Doolittle Hoppes, granddaughter of Gen. Doolittle, nominated the 100th ARW for this year’s award, and Torkelson expressed how proud he was that the wing’s present-day accomplishments and strong links to the storied past of the Bloody Hundredth were noticed at Air Force-level.
“The award validates the hard work the men and women of today’s Bloody Hundredth put into the air refueling mission,” he said. “They help extend the legacy of the original Bloody Hundredth every day, and to receive an Air Force-level award that acknowledges their efforts is extremely satisfying.”
Many of the 100th Bomb Group Foundation board of directors were present at the Doolittle Award ceremony, including the president, Dan Rosenthal, and three 100th BG veterans – Bob Shoens, pilot; Dewey Christopher, maintainer, and Bud Vieth, gunner.
The Rosenthal Auditorium, in the 100th Operations Group building on RAF Mildenhall, is named after Dan Rostenthal’s grandfather, Lt. Col. Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal, a decorated pilot in the 8th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces. During World War II, he flew 53 missions against the Nazis while stationed at Thorpe Abbots, England.
“All three veterans expressed tremendous gratitude toward the 100th ARW Airmen for ensuring that the sacrifice they and their brothers-in-arms endured during World War II was not in vain,” Torkelson continued. “They gave us ‘The world’s greatest Air Force – empowered by Airmen, fueled by Innovation.’ It’s on us to ensure it stays that way.”
The 100th ARW commander spoke highly of his wing’s heritage and how today’s Airmen carry on the legacy.
“Thanks to the Airmen of the 100th ARW for earning this recognition on behalf of the many Airmen who came before. They – and we – deserve it!” he said.
| Date Taken: | 10.18.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 12.15.2016 12:45 |
| Story ID: | 217849 |
| Location: | RAF MILDENHALL, SFK, GB |
| Web Views: | 59 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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