Military spirit honored at Oklahoma AERO Day event
An estimated 1,000 Oklahoma pilots, lawmakers, military representatives, exhibitors, and other visitors attended AERO Oklahoma 2019 Aviation and Aerospace Day at the state capital in Oklahoma City to promote awareness of the aerospace and aviation industry, the state’s second largest industry.
The March 19 event, of which AOPA was a sponsor, was organized by the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission.
“AOPA is successfully working at the state level to promote and protect GA,” he said.
A 15-by-25-foot American flag adorned the Capitol rotunda, and members of the armed forces were honored in an Airmen Appreciation Assembly that was presented by the Legislature’s AERO Caucus, the Aeronautics Commission, and the Oklahoma Aerospace Commerce Economic Services (ACES) program, bringing together service members from Tinker Air Force Base, Vance Air Force Base, and the Oklahoma Air National Guard, according to the commission’s event coverage on Facebook.
The keynote speakers were Col. Geoffrey Weiss, commander of the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, and retired Col. Chuck DeBellevue. Lawmakers who spoke included state Sens. Adam Pugh (R-District 41), Frank Simpson (R-District 14), J.J. Dossett (D-District 34), and Jason Smalley (R-District 28).
The Stafford Air and Space Museum brought flight simulator programs to the event—making it possible for some friendly Vance-versus-Tinker competition—and there was entertainment for children.
“The spirit of military service was enhanced by the Governor’s Own 145th Army Band” performing in the rotunda, noted the Aeronautics Commission’s Facebook coverage, also acknowledging the attendance of representatives of The Ninety-Nines, the Oklahoma Pilots Association, the Civil Air Patrol, the Oklahoma State University Student Space Organization, and other groups.
