Retired Gen. Ronald Keys, former leader of Air Combat Command, was the first person inducted as an AFROTC Distinguished Alumni, a program initiated by the Holm Center for Officer Accession and Citizen Development at Maxwell AFB, Ala. The retired four-star general, a distinguished graduate of the Kansas State University ROTC program, said during the Aug. 14 ceremony at Maxwell, that he was “overwhelmed by this tribute.” He also praised the airmen of today who are “broader in their thinking” and “understand technology to much better” than he did. He also acknowledged the rapid pace of change, including the “real strategic advantage” now offered by unmanned aerial vehicles. He said, “As long as we do the math and do things for the right reason, the Air Force will prevail.” (Maxwell report by Carl Bergquist)
We looked back on the past 12 months to find the stories that resonated the most with you, our audience, and these 10 topped the list. Maybe you missed one the first time around, or perhaps you’d like to revisit a favorite.