Fort Smith, Arkansas: The 188th Fighter Wing/Fort Chaffee Community Council welcomes Gen. Lloyd W. “Fig” Newton, U.S. Air Force (Retired) to Fort Smith:
Thursday, January 8, 2009
11:45am
188th Fighter Wing – Arkansas Air National Guard base
Lunch: $12.00 for the public and non-members of the Community Council
RSVP by Tuesday, January 6 – 479.573.5586
As the only Air Force officer on the 2005 Base Realignment & Closure Commission, Newton was instrumental in the commission’s decision to send A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft to the 188th Fighter Wing.
The 188th Fighter Wing/Fort Chaffee Community Council urges friends of the 188th, family members, and businesses whose livelihoods depend on the 1,100 guardsmen to come have lunch with Gen. Newton and to say thanks for seeing the value in keeping aircraft on the ramp in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
A large community turn-out at this event will demonstrate the broad-based community support our military enjoys here in the Greater Fort Smith Region.
Gen. Newton will be discussing his role on the BRAC commission and providing insights on how to protect the 188th Fighter Wing and Fort Chaffee from future BRAC actions.
In the late 1970’s, Gen. Newton made military aviation history when he became the first African American pilot to be assigned with the elite demonstration team – the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. A full and official Air Force bio is available here.
