The Air Force
Recruiting Service joined with Kenny Bernstein Racing Inc., for the first time last month to scope the viability of the Air Force marketing itself at National Hot Rod Association drag-racing events. As part of a four-race test program, the service is sponsoring Bernstein’s racing car. During the first race, the O’Reilly Super Start Batteries Fall Nationals that took place Sept. 19 to 21 at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Tex., the Air Force invited 30 local high school teachers and potential Air Force applicants to meet with Bernstein, a six-time NHRA champion, as well as his primary driver Tommy Johnson Jr., and his crew members. The guests received a tour of the pit area, saw the car being rebuilt in the 75-minute window between races and got a chance to spend time with crew members. “Air Force members are trained with the best technology available and our … team is steeped in technology, so there are a lot of obvious similarities and crossovers for our sport and potential Air Force recruits,” said Bernstein, who spent both race days talking with the teachers and Air Force prospects. (Ennis report by TSgt. John Redding)
The Air Force wants to pump more than $12 billion over the next five years into its new affordable long-range missiles program and recently asked industry to push the flights of some of those munitions beyond 1,200 miles.