7th BW commander speaks at MAC luncheon

U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Bob Starr, 7th Bomb Wing commander, speaks with Abilene civic leaders during the Military Affairs Committee luncheon March 21, 2014, at the Abilene Civic Center in Abilene, Texas. The MAC’s objective is to build and maintain a strong relationship between Abilene and its military community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexander Guerrero/Released)

7th BW commander speaks at MAC luncheon

U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Bob Starr, 7th Bomb Wing commander, speaks at the Military Affairs Committee luncheon March 21, 2014, at the Abilene Civic Center in Abilene, Texas. During the event Starr highlighted some top performing Airmen and informed the MAC on current events at Dyess, such as the most recent upgrade to the B-1B Lancer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexander Guerrero/Released)

7th BW commander speaks at MAC luncheon

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Krystle Duckett, 9th Bomb Squadron weapons systems officer, was honored at the Military Affairs Committee luncheon March 21, 2014, at the Abilene Civic Center in Abilene, Texas. While deployed to Afghanistan, Duckett’s B-1B Lancer assisted ground troops by dropping two 2,000 pound Joint Direct Attack Munition Systems to secure the safety of U.S. military forces on the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexander Guerrero/Released)

7th BW commander speaks at MAC luncheon

U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Bob Starr, 7th Bomb Wing commander, speaks to members of the Abilene Military Affairs Committee March 21, 2014, at the Abilene Civic Center in Abilene, Texas. During the event Starr recognized several Airmen who distinguished themselves through their performance overseas and at home. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexander Guerrero/Released)

7th BW commander speaks at MAC luncheon

U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Bob Starr, 7th Bomb Wing commander, left, is presented a book about Lt. Col. William Edwin Dyess from Gray Bridwell, Military Affairs Committee March 21, 2014, at the Abilene Civic Center in Abilene, Texas. The quarterly luncheon gives MAC members and Dyess leadership the opportunity to exchange information about upcoming events, activities and issues of mutual interest. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexander Guerrero/Released)

7th BW commander speaks at MAC luncheon

Published April 1, 2014
By Senior Airman Peter Thompson
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

DYESS AIR BASE, Texas -- The 7th Bomb Wing Commander, Col. Michael Bob Starr, was the guest speaker at a luncheon held by the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee March 21, at the Abilene Civic Center in Abilene, Texas.

The MAC works with Dyess to maintain and expand the military presence and build on the strong relationship between Abilene and its military community. They also support the local military community by hosting events such as the annual World's Largest Barbeque, the Busted Racquet tennis tournament, and Busted Putter golf tournament.

Starr began by explaining the Air Force's composition, which he said is made up of many of the nation's best men and women. He validated his point by sharing a recent success story involving Senior Airman Jason Utley and Senior Airman Sierra Anglesey, both assigned to the 7th Security Forces Squadron here.

On March 5, Utley was patrolling the flightline when he was notified of an individual on base who was not breathing. He responded promptly to the scene and began cardio pulmonary resuscitation on a civilian contractor who had suddenly collapsed.

Minutes after Utley arrived on scene, Anglesey followed and assisted Utley by taking over chest compressions. The two Airmen performed CPR together for 15 minutes until paramedics relieved them.

"Thanks to these two defenders, that man woke up from a coma several days later and was able to recognize his family," Starr said.

Starr went on to laud 1st Lt. Krystle Duckett, 9th Bomb Squadron weapons systems officer. During Duckett's most recent deployment, her B-1 was called upon to aid a unit of ground troops pinned by enemy fire in the mountain passes of Afghanistan. Bone 21 stayed on scene for more than four hours securing safety for the troops. After attempts by other aircraft to eliminate the insurgents failed, Bone 21 was cleared to drop two 2,000-pound JDAMs with confirmed results.

After standing ovations for all three Dyess Airmen, Starr went on to answer questions about upgrades currently being performed on the wing's B-1 fleet; the largest modification in the airframe's history.

"The Integrated Battle Station upgrade is about increasing and improving the information that gets to our warfighters," Starr said. "In today's fight, and even more so in the future, the warrior with the best information wins."

He ended by thanking Abilene for the city's support and placing emphasis back on the Airmen who accomplish the mission - each and every day.

"It is not technology that makes us so strong, it's our Airmen," Starr continued. "What makes our Airmen strong is the support they receive from the public -- and nowhere is that stronger than right here in Abilene."