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Retired colonel
to discuss book on Iraq war at TWU
10/5/06
DENTON —
Kim Olson, a retired United States Air Force colonel sent
to help rebuild Iraq in April 2003, will talk about her experiences
and sign copies of her book, “Iraq and Back: Inside
the War to Win the Peace” Tuesday, Oct. 17 at Texas
Woman’s University. The lecture will begin at 3:30 p.m.
in room 101 of the Blagg-Huey Library on TWU’s Denton
campus. Admission is free and open to the public. For more
information, contact Dawn Letson at (940) 898-3754.
The lecture and
book signing are presented by the TWU Libraries Woman’s
Collection.
Soon after declaring
an end to major combat operations in Iraq, President George
W. Bush sent retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Jay Garner to help
rebuild the country. As Lt. Gen. Garner’s executive
officer, Col. Olson was part of the senior leadership charged
with rebuilding Iraq’s infrastructure, providing humanitarian
assistance and lay the foundation for a democratic government.
In her book, Col. Olson recounts how the political, military
and economic wheels ground to a halt after only a few weeks.
Col. Olson was
part of the U.S. Air Force’s first generation of female
pilots in 1979 and became a command pilot with 3,700 hours
of flying time in six aircraft. She commanded the 96th Air
Refueling Squadron in Spokane, Wash., and led her squadron
through a 60-day deployment to a combat zone in Saudi Arabia.
The squadron earned an “Outstanding” rating on
the Operational Readiness Inspection, a first in the wing’s
history. During the Kosovo campaign, she deployed to the Combined
Air Operations Center as chief tanker director for the largest
refueling operation since Desert Storm, guaranteeing the safe
execution of the largest bombing campaign since World War
II.
She also has served
in several positions in the Pentagon.
Col. Olson has
been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force
Meritorious Service, Commendation and Achievement medals,
Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian
Service Medal and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
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For Further Information
Contact:
Karen Garcia
Senior Copywriter
Tel: (940) 898-3456
e-mail: kgarcia@twu.edu |
