The Spirit of Aggieland

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Dachelle Melville
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, LA --  On the morning of July 23 U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson prepares to take his final flight as the commander of Global Strike Command at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., before moving on to his next assignment as the deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. But instead of heading directly to his plane, he makes a small detour to an aircraft hangar on the south end of the apron to see the unveiling of new nose art on a B-52H Stratofortress. He is greeted by a small group lead by Col. Bruce Cox, commander of the 307th Bomb Wing.

Inside the hangar a bomber fills the space. This bomber is the flagship of the 307th Bomb Wing and the assigned plane of Cox.

Both Wilson and Cox are alumni of Texas A&M University and the Corps of Cadets program. Joining them are other alumni, Capt. Christian Everson, an Electronic Warfare Officer assigned to the 96th Bomb Squadron, and Lt. Col. Martin Salinas, Inspector General for the 2nd Bomb Wing. Cox gathered all of the "Aggies" together to unveil the new nose art of the flagship bomber, titled "The Spirit of Aggieland." It is dedicated to former and future cadets that graduated from Texas A&M University's Corps of Cadets Program.

"The Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M has a history of creating strong leaders that continues to this day," Cox said. "It is great to get together graduates from different graduating classes to see the tradition being carried on through the generations."

As Wilson departs the hangar, sounds of "The Spirit of Aggieland" can be heard in the background as everyone salutes him as he leaves to finish this chapter of his career.