CONTACT: Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Halloran, 845-563-2031

FOR RELEASE: Friday, Feb 27, 2009

WHO:

Officers and members of the Mississippi Air National Guard's 172nd Airlift Wing, the New York Air National Guard's 105th Airlift Wing, and Pete Bedrossian, Interpretive Programs Assist of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

WHAT:

NEWBURGH, NY (02/26/2009)-- Aa Air Guard C-17 named in honor of the medal presented to wounded warriors, will and at Stewart Air National Guard Base Friday in order to present a picture of the plane--"The Spirit of the Purple Heart" to The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor. Media are invited to view the visit of this aircraft, which is taking advantage of a routine training mission to honor the Purple Heart musem. The C-17 Globemaster III "Spirit of the Purple eart" , assigned to the 172nd Airlift Wing of the Mississippi Air National Guard is expected to touch down at Stewart ANGB, home of the 105th Airlift Wing, at about 1 p.m. Friday. Aircrew will then present Me. Bedrossian, with a framed photograph of the aircraft which will be displayed at the museum, which honors this oldest American military award. The 105th is playing host for the exchange/

WHEN:

12:30 p.m., Friday Feb. 27, 2009.

WHERE:

Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newbur

Coverage Opportunities: Visual images of the C-17 landing and the presentation ceremony and opportunity to speak with Mississippi and New York Air National Guard members and Pete Bedrossian about the significance of the Purple Heart to military members. Background: The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor: The hall commemorates the extraordinary sacrifices of America's servicemen and servicewomen who were killed or wounded in combat. The mission of the Hall of Honor is to collect and preserve the stories of Purple Heart recipients from all branches of service and across generations to ensure that all recipients are represented.The first Purple Hearts were awarded by General George Washington for military merit when the Continental Army was camped in the area. The National Purple Heart hall of Honor is part of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. PIPC administers 27 parks, parkways and historic sites for the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in NY as well as the Palisades Interstate Park and parkway in New Jersey. Located at 374 Temple Hill Road, New Windsor. The 105th Airlift Wing: The 105th Airlift Wing is one of two Air National Guard units in the country with an operational C-5 mission. The unit's 13 aircraft regularly fly missions around the world in support of America's armed forces. Stewart Air National Guard Base is located just 70 miles North of New York City and has a 60-year proven track record for answering the call to duty both in New York State and around the globe. The 105th AW recently celebrated its 25th anniversary at Stewart Air National Guard Base, which is famous for it's massive 15,000-foot runway. The C-17 Globemaster III: The C-17 Globemaster III is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The aircraft can perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions and can also transport litters and ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations when required. The inherent flexibility and performance of the C-17 force improve the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States. The 172nd Airlift Wing: The 172nd Airlift Wing is part of the Mississippi Air National Guard and operates the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. The 172d Airlift Wing has a primary strategic airlift mission and secondary aerial evacuation mission with their two flying squadrons, the 183rd Airlift Squadron and 183rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. The C-17 Globemaster III is flown by each unit to accomplish these missions. The Wing is complemented by support units including maintenance, logistics, personnel, finance, medical, communications, security police, and civil engineering. Media interested in attending the event must contact Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Halloran at (845) 563-2031 in order to gain access to this secure military facility

Attachments: