OUR HISTORY

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C-17A 5143 is pictured flying to its new home at March Air Reserve Base, CA

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" Let's Roll ! " were the last words heard from Todd Beamer, a passenger on Flight 93 over Pennsylvania on September 11, 2002.  In late 2001, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper directed the application of special nose art on select aircraft “to honor America’s spirit, dedication and resolve following the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.” The U.S. Air Force adopted Mr. Beamer’s slogan as a theme for a nose art design for their aircraft.

The nose art design was created by Senior Airman Duane White attached to the Air Combat Command's multimedia center at Langley Air Force Base, VA.  The Thunderbirds and Air Force Single ship demonstration teams used the art on all of their assigned aircraft.  Other commands and wings are authorized to use the nose art on one aircraft of their choice. In ceremony at Charleston AFB's Nose dock #1 C-17A -0105 became the 437th 9-11 memorial. 

The "Let's Roll!" nose art is being used to continue the remembrance of the events of September 11, spur on the nation's patriotic spirit and pay tribute to heroes and victims in the war against terrorism.  The art started to appear on Air Force aircraft in mid-January 2002 and was removed on the one year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.