'Let's roll' to appear on aircraft

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The words "Let's roll," America's favorite battle cry since Sept. 11, figure prominently on the newest Air Force nose art to be displayed on hundreds of U.S. military aircraft.

On Friday, an Air Force Reserve unit based at Whiteman proudly unveiled the art on an A-10 Thunderbolt II scheduled to depart Tuesday to participate in the ongoing Operation Northern Watch, helping patrol a no-fly zone over northern Iraq.

"Let's roll," were the last words heard from Todd Beamer, a 32-year-old aboard United Airlines Flight 93 on Sept. 11. Beamer and other passengers fought hijackers for control of the jetliner, which officials think was bound for an attack on Washington, D.C. The plane crashed in southwest Pennsylvania and everyone on board was killed.

Members of the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman said their plane would likely be the first to wear the nose art into the Iraqi theater.

"I'll be real proud to fly this plane," said Maj. John Hoff, a 39-year-old pilot from Lee's Summit who will join the operation in about seven weeks. "It's a real morale booster."

The emblem, which features an eagle perched on the words "Let's Roll" in front of a waving American flag, was designed late last year by Senior Airman Duane White at Langley Air Force Base, Va. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper quickly approved the art and ordered that it begin appearing on all demonstration aircraft and selected combat planes.

"It's amazing how quickly things happen when the Air Force chief of staff gives an order," said Col. Dewayne Burgess, vice commander of the 442nd Fighter Wing.

For decades, military airmen have painted personal messages on their craft. But Burgess said this is probably the first time in Air Force history that a civilian's words have been featured as nose art.

Command and wing units that fly military missions are authorized to display the new art on only one aircraft of their choice. The 442nd Fighter Wing chose one of three A-10 planes scheduled to leave immediately for Iraq.