Blues Captain fly's with the Thunderbirds

St. Louis Blues captain David Backes gives a thumbs up prior to his media flight with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds Sept. 14 at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The Thunderbirds offered two media flights as well as performing a special needs air show prior to their performance in the 2012 Air Powers over the Midwest air show. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)

Blues Captain fly's with the Thunderbirds

Capt. Michael Fisher, United States Air Force Thunderbirds advance pilot, performs pre-flight checks with St. Louis Blues captain David Backes prior to his media flight Sept. 14 at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The Thunderbirds offered two media flights as well as performing a special needs air show prior to their performance in the 2012 Air Powers over the Midwest air show. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)

Blues Captain fly's with the Thunderbirds

St. Louis Blues captain David Backes goes through pre-flight equipment training prior to his media flight with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds Sept. 14 at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The Thunderbirds offered two media flights as well as performing a special needs air show prior to their performance in the 2012 Air Powers over the Midwest air show. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia) (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia)

'Cops for Kids' visit Red River Orphanage

Staff Sgt. Calin Cronin draws a picture on the sidewalk with Igor and Katya during visit to Red River Orphanage, Krasnaya Rechka, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 1, 2012. Cronin is a 376th Expeditionary ESFS, NCOIC physical security at the Transit Center at Manas and volunteers during his off-duty time to the 376 ESFS "Cops for Kids" program. The outreach program helps to deliver groceries and school supplies to children like Igor and Katya who reside at the orphanage. Cronin is a native of Rochester, Ill., and is deployed from Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Matthew Benedetti)

Gen. Schwartz guest at Scott Air Force Base Ball

After Gen. Schwartz gave his final remarks, he told others to join him on the dance floor with his wife, Susie, and Col. David Almand, 375th Air Mobility Wing Commander, and his wife, Cathy. The Scott Club was packed with more than 400 in attendance to hear the general, who spoke about how young Airmen and junior leaders need to continue to rise to the challenge to meet the demands of the nation’s defense. (U.S. Air Force photo/ 2Lt. Korey Fratini(

Scott community steps up, volunteers for local students

Staff Sgt Brian Darren Kopp, 436 SCOS, reads out loud to kindergarten and first grade students September 6, 2012 in the White side Elementary gym. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade)