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America’s LIFT and STRIKE Base reflects on Dyess Airmen during Black History Month

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ryan Hayman
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

Black History Month is an annual celebration of the past and present achievements of Black Americans while recognizing their central role in U.S. history

Airman 1st Class Angelique Rutland:

"I think my grandpa would be proud and amazed at everything I’ve accomplished. He always told me that I could do anything that I set my mind to regardless of what anyone says or thinks about you, and if he were here today I think he would tell me that I should be proud of myself and that I need to give myself more credit," said Rutland. "You either succeed or you learn. So, I know he'd be happy to see how far I've come since this picture.”

Chief Master Sgt. Jessica Player:

“Since I’ve been in the Air Force, I feel the Air Force is making strides in accepting and giving more opportunities to Airmen of Color by giving awareness and accepting the individualistic efforts that we bring to the force generator,” said Player. “My personal goals for helping improve the quality of life for Black Airmen in the Air Force resides with my ability to use my resilience and fortitude to address any injustices or inequalities.
“As a Chief, I wanted to be remembered for using myself as one who tried!” she continued.

Col. J. Christopher "Miles" McClung:

Service is a family business for Col McClung, his brother served as an intelligence officer and retired as a Col in 2017. And his Father served 23 years in the USAF as a B-52 Radar Navigator He did 3 tours in Vietnam and in 1973 he posed for the photo above while deployed to Guam. Col McClung deployed to Guam in 2003 and got to recreate the famous photo.

Capt. Jermaine Williams:

“I’ve been in the Air Force for 24 years and this has been a great assignment,” said Williams. “Being alongside my son at his first base is a blessing from God. I get to show him everything that I didn’t know as an Airman so he can apply those lessons to set that standard.”
“There's a quote that I always say in our family; ‘there is no excuse, just produce,” he continued.

Thank you, Airmen for being a part of what makes Team Dyess America’s LIFT and STRIKE Base!