Base reflects on Lt. Col. Michael Anderson Published Jan. 31, 2014 By Scott King 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Today marks the anniversary of the untimely death of Lt. Col. Michael Anderson, crewmember of the ill-fated mission of Space Shuttle Columbia. STS-107 Columbia's 16-day science and research mission ended abruptly Feb. 1, 2003, when the seven-person crew perished during reentry, 16 minutes before its scheduled landing. On Fairchild, Anderson's legacy lives on throughout the hallways of Michael Anderson Elementary School. The school, part of the Medical Lake School District, was dedicated to him in January, 2004. Medical Lake School District leaders are proud to have the school named after him. "I believe that Lt. Col. Michael Anderson's accomplishments both in the Air Force and at NASA are an inspiration to our students," said Dr. Pam Veltri, MLSD superintendent. "They are able to see that a local boy can reach for the stars and accomplish anything he wants with hard work and dedication. It is because of this I am so proud to have one of our elementary schools named after him - he is a positive role model for our students, and through them, his legacy lives on." Darlene Starr, MAE's principal said, "His contributions to the Air Force and NASA personally touch the lives of our students on a regular bases. He is a role model for our students and staff, whether we are learning about exploration, science or math, our students are influenced by his drive, focus and determination - our school name is a daily reminder of the potential of every student and serves as the foundation of our commitment to serve every child every day." Anderson considered Spokane to be his hometown. Much of his schooling was in Washington State. He actually attended MAE in 1977 when it was known as Blair Elementary School. He went on to graduate from Cheney High School, Wash. in 1977 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics/Astronomy from University of Washington in 1981. He went on to earn a Masters of Science degree in Physics from Creighton University, Omaha, Neb. in 1990. Upon his graduation from UW, he was commissioned a second lieutenant. After completing a year of technical training at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., he was assigned to Randolph AFB, Texas, where he served as chief of communication maintenance for the 2015th Communication Squadron and later as director of information system maintenance for the 1920th Information System Group. In 1986 he was selected to attend Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, Okla. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 2nd Airborne Command and Control Squadron, Offutt AFB, Neb. as an EC 135 pilot, flying the Strategic Air Commands airborne command post code-named "Looking Glass." From January 1991 to September 1992, he served as an aircraft commander and instructor pilot in the 920th Air Refueling Squadron, Wurtsmith AFB, Mich. From September 1992 to February 1995 he was assigned as an instructor pilot and tactics officer in the 380th Air Refueling Wing, Plattsburgh AFB, N.Y. Anderson was selected by NASA in December 1994. He reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995. He completed a year of training and evaluation, and was qualified for flight crew assignment as a mission specialist. He was initially assigned technical duties in the flight support branch of the astronaut office. He flew on STS-89 and STS-107, logging over 593 hours in space. He also logged more than 3000 hours in various models of the KC-135 Stratotanker and the T-38A aircraft. His special honors included: - Distinguished graduate USAF Communication Electronics Officers course - Recipient of the Armed Forces Communication Electronics Associations Academic Excellence Award 1983 - USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training Academic Achievement Award for Class 87, 2008 - Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster - Meritorious Service Medal - Defense Superior Service Medal Anderson was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, the NASA Space Flight Medal, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. He enjoyed photography, chess, computers and tennis. Fairchild leadership recognizes the contributions Anderson made nationally and locally. "Lt. Col Anderson's spirit lives on eleven years after the tragedy," said Col. Brian Newberry, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "His spirit of adventure and innovation is part of the Air Force DNA. I am grateful our local elementary school is named for this American hero to remind us that like any astronaut knows, America has no limits and 'that' imagination will always take us to new heights. When I drive by his school, I smile and look skyward knowing America's future remains bright with the future astronauts inside MAE learning just like Michael did so long ago."