TUCSON, AZ.- - The events of
September 11, 2001 changed the world in many ways. No longer was terrorism
someone else's problem. It had advanced onto American soil and sent
shockwaves through society. The
response was the deployment of troops to Afghanistan to eradicate
the al-Queda terrorist network.
Steven Lake is a civilian police officer in Arizona who also serves in the United States
Air Force Reserve in the capacity of a Technical Sergeant in the Security Forces field.
He was called to active duty with the Air Force Reserve shortly after September 11. He spent
nearly two years on duty serving his country-- of which nine months was spent deployed
overseas in different locations. Sergeant Lake was deployed during the initial phase of
Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and again during the build up and launch of Operation
Iraqi Freedom. He returned to the United States in May 2003 shortly after the cessation of
large scale hostilities in Iraq.
While he was deployed at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Sergeant Lake decided to give something back to
Jeff Gordon and the Hendrick Motorsports organization for the entertainment
and joy they've provided over the years. In the days leading up to and during the air war
with Iraq, he arranged to have an American flag flown on an F-15 Strike Eagle. This flag was
flown for about 180 combat flight hours. On March 29, 2003, the flag was removed from Air Craft
87-0181 after its mission. A certificate was made
commemorating that mission and was signed by the pilot weapons system officer and the Squadron
commander. We live in a world that has walls. It's nice to know those walls are being protected
by the "fire and flames."
Sergeant Lake in search of Baghdad Motor Speedway
Never far from home
Not your ordinary pit crew
Protecting our freedoms
Streaking through the morning haze
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