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Fadok unveils plane display for Chaplain Corps College

  • Published
  • By Chap. (Maj.) Randy Groves
Lt. Gen. David Fadok, president and commander of the Air University, recently visited the Air Force Chaplain Corps College to dedicate its new F-22 Raptor static display.

"The static display is just a few yards from the Naval anchor and Army tank on the other side of the building," Fadok said. "These three co-existing symbols represent a spirit of cooperation between all three chaplain corps. I want Fort Jackson leadership to know that I am enormously grateful for the Army's support."

The display F-22 is a one-fifth replica, the only Air Force static display on Fort Jackson. Funding was one topic of conversation between Fadok and Col. Steven Keith, AFCCC commandant.

The Fiscal Year 2012 AFCCC Air Force Education Review Board budget was cut by 60 percent over FY11, reducing the in-resident chaplain education quotas from 360 to 85.

"Funding realities are moving us from in-resident education to blended education," Keith said. "As the future unfolds, the AFCCC will be offering increasing amounts of education online."

The AFCCC moved from Maxwell AFB after 44 years to Fort Jackson in 2009 and combined with the U.S. Army Chaplain School and the Naval Chaplaincy School to form the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Center. It remains one of the five schools within the Ira C. Eaker Center for Professional Development at Maxwell.

This move was a result of a 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission decision to foster closer cooperation among the three chaplain corps and enhance opportunities for shared instruction and training.

Though its location changed, the AFCCC continues its mission to provide education, training and resources to promote professional excellence and enhance the free exercise of religion for the Air Force family.

"To put it simply, the Chaplain Corps cares for the Airman's soul," Keith said.

"Spiritual care is essential because it feeds the Airman's soul with motivation to face challenges, gives them opportunities to form healthy relationships and nurtures their character," Fadok said. "These are the spiritual qualities we need in our Airmen. Without spiritually healthy Airmen, we might fly and we might fight, but I'm not sure we would win as decisively."