News>Heritage Hall inauguration brings AFRC history to life
Photos
Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner, Jr., commander Air Force Reserve Command, unveils the first of several exhibits during the inauguration of the Air Force Reserve Command Heritage Hall in the command headquarters building on Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Dec. 15. (U.S. Air Force photo/Philip Rhodes)
Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner, Jr., commander Air Force Reserve Command, and Betty Kennedy, command historian, cut the ribbon to officially open the AFRC Heritage Hall in the command headquarters building on Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Dec. 15. The exhibit consists of the first floor inner lobby, second floor command entrance, third floor lobby and the main conference room hallway. (U.S. Air Force photo/Philip Rhodes)
Lt. Col. Harold Linnean looks at the World War II bomber jacket worn by an Airman with the 506th Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group, which is now the 44th Fighter Group, an Air Force Reserve unit at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Air Force Reserve Command inaugurated a Heritage Hall in the command's headquarters building at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., on Dec. 15. The display brings together pieces of history that give Reservists and visitors to the headquarters building a chance to see the contributions of Reservists since World War I. (U.S. Air Force photo/Philip Rhodes)
The Heritage Hall includes a display containing campaign streams earned by Air Force Reserve Command assigned wings and groups. According to command historians, AFRC units have earned more than 180 campaign streamers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Philip Rhodes)
by Don Boyd
Air Force Reserve Command Senior Historian
12/15/2011 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Air Force Reserve Command brought history to life with the inauguration of the AFRC Heritage Hall in the command headquarters building here Dec. 15.
Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner, Jr., commander of AFRC, along with Ms Betty Kennedy, command Historian, cut the ribbon to officially open the hall and give passersby an opportunity to experience Air Force Reserve history in a close-up and personal way.
General Stenner related to guests and staff the past deeds represented by the artwork and artifacts. He remarked that, "Air Force Reservists have served with honor and courage and have a distinguished and proud history."
The exhibit consists of the first floor inner lobby, second floor command entrance, third floor lobby, and the main conference room hallway. Each exhibit area includes paintings and artifacts displaying the heritage of the AF Reserve during a century of service. Command historians said the AFRC Heritage Hall will be changed periodically to provide a broad selection of Air Force Reserve history.
Represented in the collection is a World War II bomber jacket worn by an airman of the 506th Squadron of the 44th Bombardment Group, which is now the 44th Fighter Group at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Other artifacts contained in the collection include uniform items from different periods of AF Reserve history. Medal ribbons that belonged to Lt. Col. Robert H. Morris, an Air Force Reserve Korean fighter ace, are also on display.
A plaque signed by former POWs collected on their "Freedom Flight" from Vietnam during Operation Homecoming is displayed to highlight the broad scope of missions performed by Air Force Reserve members during the Southeast Asia experience. A DH-4 propeller signifies the service of Reserve aviators in WWI and the interwar years. Artwork from the Air Force art collection highlights Air Force Reserve operations.
During the past year, General Stenner chartered the Historical Services Directorate to establish the AFRC Heritage Hall. The Historical Services Directorate will serve as the command's functional manager and provide oversight for the project and collections.
Current and former Air Force Reservists who are interested in donating significant historical artifacts can contact AFRC History Directorate at 478-327-2192 or DSN: 497-2192.
