quote:
There wasn't a book about the Air Force space mission until he wrote about itDavid Spires, University of Colorado Boulder senior instructor, delivered two signed copies of his updated book "Beyond Horizons" to Gen. C. Robert Kehler, Air Force Space Command commander, Jan. 3.
The book is a revision of the 1997 original and covers events from 1997-2007. The revision was requested by Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force Chief of Staff, in May 2007 and was completed in record time according to Skip Bradley, AFSPC historian. The revision was published in support of the Air Force's 60th Anniversary Sept. 18, 2007.
"The last ten years there have been significant advances in space," Dr. Spires said. "The focus has really changed in ways to support the warfighter. I'm very proud to be a part of it."
"I started by writing a classified book on Air Defense Command," he said. "Then I realized there were no books written on the Air Force space experience so began writing one. I had a lot of help from the history office here; they were significant contributors to the book."
General Kehler echoed the doctor's remarks to his staff.
"This has been a real labor of love for our history office," General Kehler said. "I can't stress enough the importance of tracing our history and the shaping of our Air Force. When I got the first copy of this book, it sat on my desk and I used it daily. I look forward to reading the revision."
Dr. Spires and General Kehler agreed on changing the way people view the Air Force.
"Themes are still with us," Dr. Spires said. "We need to be recognized as an air and space force. Both are instrumental and both are co-equal in supporting the warfighter.
With the new books delivered and 10 more years of space history documented, Dr. Spires will continue his teaching in Boulder until he is called upon again.
(Both print and electronic versions of the book will be available in the near future.)