‘First Air Force Now’ celebrates decade of success Published April 28, 2009 By Louis Biehslich AFNORTH A6 TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla -- In March 1999, First Air Force chief of Public Affairs Capt. Don Arias and Tyndall Warrior Network Manager Louis Biehslich were brainstorming on how to better promote the vast and ever-expanding mission of First Air Force. Using video footage they had obtained from an earlier visit to Curacao to cover Operation Coronet Nighthawk, the team produced its first 30-minute news magazine. Ten years and several awards later, the program has evolved into a quarterly product put together in a state-of-the-art studio and broadcast internationally. The satellite based communication system linked Air National Guard bases nationwide, successfully illustrating 1st Air Force's involvement in Coronet Nighthawk - the Air National Guard's counter-narcotic air patrol operation. "The huge success of "Flight of the Nighthawk" was backed up by the dozens of compliments we received from all over the National Guard," said Biehslich. "This feedback led to the discussion of developing a more permanent news show, highlighting the work of the men and women of 1st Air Force and its air defense sectors. The two worked tirelessly to make the idea of continuing to produce the show a reality. "Because of the success of our print magazine, 'The American Defender,' I enjoyed the confidence of a supportive commander," said Arias, who retired from the Air Force in 2008. "I didn't hesitate to ask Maj. Gen. Larry Arnold - then 1st Air Force commander - to let us enter this uncharted Guard Public Affairs territory. Louis and I realized this show could become a powerful tool for our internal information program. The Air Guard never had a television news show. We would be first -- it was exciting." Soon after selling the concept to other aligned and assigned PA and visual information shops and soliciting stories, they were receiving products from sources nationwide. "Initially, the response was slow but good, and over time the contributions really started to roll in as the show became more popular with the Guard," Arias said. "Soon units that weren't assigned to 1st Air Force started to contribute; we even got stories from the Army." As the show developed, so did its broadcast venues. Through contacts with a local school, Gulf Coast Community College, the show was broadcast over the Gulf Coast Educational Television network. Then in 2004, Biehslich submitted the show to producers at the Pentagon Channel, who agreed to add the show to its monthly line up. "It was really a win-win for visual information and public affairs," Biehslich said. "Public Affairs could get their stories out in a new medium and visual information was able to showcase their talents to a wide audience that included both military and civilian viewers." Since its inception, the show has been honored with seven Telly awards and one videographer award of distinction. The Telly Awards is a national-level recognition program that honors the very best local, regional and cable television productions. "Our success and award winning-work could not have been achieved without a huge team effort and I'm thankful to all of them - both locally and in the field-- for their constant support, hard work and diligence," Biehslich said. "I would especially like to thank the 120th Fighter Wing in Great Falls, Montana and the 119th Wing in Fargo, North Dakota as these units continue to be the most successful content providers to the show."