Travis shows 'true colors' during NFL game

1/21/2003 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) -- Bay area football fans showed their patriotism and appreciation for the Air Force on Jan. 19 as the Oakland Raiders beat the Tennessee Titans during the league championship game at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.

As part of pregame festivities, more than 200 people from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., unfurled a giant U.S. "superflag" during the national anthem. Right on cue, the crowd was then treated to an Air Force flyover by four F-15E Strike Eagles from the 391st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

"While holding the flag, seeing the F-15s fly over, standing in my uniform and listening to the crowd yell 'U-S-A' over and over, I realized all of these things are the sounds of freedom (and) I'm proud to be protecting that," said 2nd Lt. Tora King, a 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron section commander from Travis. "I was overwhelmed by the amount of respect and gratitude we received from all of the fans. It really made the whole day worthwhile."

This was not the first time Travis people have been asked to support local sporting events. Because of its location in between San Francisco and Sacramento, the base routinely supports local professional sports teams with the Air Force Band of the Golden West, and with the honor guard and flag details.

In October, a 100-man flag detail and the Travis Honor Guard supported the San Francisco Giants in their bid to become World Series champions. Last month, another team of people performed pre-game and halftime festivities for the San Francisco 49ers during their playoff run.

"The men and women in blue from Travis do an awesome job for us every year," said Mary Barnes, director of entertainment for the Raiders. "Our team and fans love it when we bring the military out. It's obvious from the response we get from the crowd that America's military commands respect, and our fans let them know it."

It is also important to the airmen to know America supports them, she said.

"Walking in my blues through the tailgate section of the parking lot, I met quite a few Raider fans," said Master Sgt. Derrick Givens from the 60th Comptroller Squadron at Travis. "With the biggest game of the season about to take place inside, they wanted to know how we were doing, did we want something to eat. They told us 'thank you' for doing what we do."

Givens said they did not talk football, they wanted to know how their country's military was doing.

"They too, wanted to be a part of something bigger than themselves," Givens said. "Someone pointed out we were wearing blue, the color of the Tennessee Titans. I reminded him of what team we're on, what and who we were fighting for and against, and what was at stake."