Dreaming of the '90s, this is Nerd Alert, the Weekly Volcano's recurring events calendar devoted to all things nerdy. I myself am a Star Wars fan, mathlete, and spelling bee champion of long standing, so trust me: I grok whereof I speak.
THURSDAY, FEB. 27
Portlandia's fourth season of gentle sketch satire at the expense of the PNW begins on IFC at 10. They should totally put a bird on that.
You may think you like beer, but have you spent hours on end discussing the qualities of hops while sampling more than 160 home and commercial microbrews? That's exactly what went down last night when the 2014 JBLM Brewfest consumed the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Club.
Operation Ward 57 received its free van Friday, Feb. 21 at Toyota of Tacoma after winning the Toyota 100 Cars for Good program. Photo credit: Pappi Swarner
UPDATE: Operation Ward 57 received its free van from the Toyota 100 Cars for Good program at noon, Friday, Feb. 21 at Toyota of Tacoma. We captured the ceremony on video, which you can see below. ...
Thomas E. Thompson, Nuclear Surety manager for the 62nd Airlift Wing, was named the Nuclear Surety Individual of the Year for 2013. Photo credit: Master Sgt. Todd Wivell
The votes are in and 2013 was another banner year for the airmen of Joint Base Lewis-McChord Field according to the recent Air Mobility Command Safety Awards.
The 62d Airlift Wing won the AMC Distinguished Ground Safety Award for large wings and Thomas E. Thompson won AMC's Nuclear Surety Individual of the Year.
"This is definitely an honor, no question about that," said 62d AW Commander of Safety Lt. Col. Brian Lewis. "I've had the honor of working with this office and these folks for a while now. Mr. Thompson is a legend and he deserves the recognition. Mr. Heath and his shop help the Air Force to be better every day."
Thompson, who has served as the Wing Nuclear Surety manager at McChord Field for close to 14 years, entered into the Air Force in 1986 and began his current career as a civilian in 2006. He has spent the nearly his entire time associated with the Air Force working with the nuclear enterprise and has been through 24 Nuclear Surety Inspections, both as a unit member or inspector.
"It is really humbling to be nominated and then to win," Thompson said.
Capt. William Swenson at a meeting with senior Zone (Brigade) leadership to discuss the security in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, March 2009. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
UPDATE: The Washington state Senate honored U.S. Army Capt. William Swenson today.
"Captain Swenson was awarded the Medal of Honor for acts of gallantry - at the risk of his life - above and beyond the call of duty. The danger Captain Swenson faced that day was not some general risk of injury...it was the immediate threat of imminent death," O'Ban said, according to a news release. "No one ordered him to repeatedly place himself at the threshold of death to save his brethren. No one would have judged him disloyal for not going in a second, third or fourth time into mortal peril."
A photo from the ceremony is posted below, as well as information on the ceremony, which we posted yesterday.
Gen. Daniel Allyn, the 20th commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command, will be the special guest speaker and award presenter at the Saint Barbara's Day Ball. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
UPDATE: According to its mission statement, "17th Fires Brigade trains and prepares for combat; on order deploys to any area of operations to plan, synchronize, and execute combined, and joint fires and effects; integrate attached ground and air maneuver forces and be prepared to function as a maneuver headquarters in support of full spectrum operations."
Change to the Thunderbolts means nothing.
So news of a change to its Friday night ball will probably be taken in stride.
Originally, Gen. Daniel Allyn, the 20th commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command, was the guest speaker for the event. But the general canceled today and will not be able to attend.
Maj. Gen. Terry Ferrell, the 7th Infantry Division commander at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord, will be the guest speaker and award presenter at the ceremony, which will still be held at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center.
Below is our original post on the 17th Fires Saint Barbara's Day Ball.
Rain today at JBLM. Hate Fridays. News team drinks, pantsed me again in front of Steno Pool. Got flustered, mixed up Hillside w/Broodmoor on big map. 20% Hi: 52. Lo: 34.
This Date in History: 1962
Pres. John F. Kennedy authorizes U.S. military advisors in Vietnam to return fire if fired upon.
GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 2.14.14 >>>
Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher stand together in front of a newly constructed Fisher House after the dedication ceremony in 1994. Photo credit: Staff Sgt. Andrea Faison
Air Force officials are seeking nominees for the 2014 Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award.
Established in 1996 by the Secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force, the award is named in honor of Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher, both of whom contributed extensively to the support and welfare of U.S. military members and their families, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.
For more information on Air Force recognition programs and other personnel issues, visit the myPers Website at https://myPers.af.mil.
The following Airmen and civilians were honored at the 62nd Airlift Wing/Team McChord Quarterly Awards Luncheon today - after the teriyaki beef and baked chicken were served, of course.
Civilian of the Quarter Category I: Judith Brown, 62nd AMXS
Civilian of the Quarter Category IIA: Brian Barbee, 62nd MXS
Civilian of the Quarter Category IIB: Eileen Rodriguez, 62nd OSS
Airman of the Quarter: Senior Airman Joshua Chambers
Noncommissioned Officer: Staff Sgt. Martin Harrison, WSA
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