Military Appreciation Program (MAP) Returns To SPR In 2007

For the second consecutive season, South Point Racing will recognize various military units through its Military Appreciation Program (MAP).

The decal being run at Daytona is the U.S. Air Force Weapons School patch. The mission of the USAF Weapons School (USAFWS) is to teach graduate-level instructor courses, which provide the world's most advanced training in weapons and tactics employment to officers of the combat air forces. The Weapons School is headquartered at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas with squadrons also at Barksdale Air Force Base (Louisiana), Dyess Air Force Base (Texas), Fairchild Air Force Base (Washington), Hurlburt Field (Florida), Little Rock Air Force Base (Arkansas), McGuire Air Force Base (New Jersey), and Whiteman Air Force Base (Missouri).

The Weapons School accomplishes its mission by providing graduate-level instructor academic and flying courses to USAF Combat Air Forces (CAF) The School conducts extensive technical off-station training and liaison with CAF units. The School publishes the quarterly USAF Weapons Review with worldwide readership. All positions are selectively manned.

Michael Gaughan, team owner of South Point Racing, is the Honorary Squadron Commander of the 66 WPS A-10’s ("The Trough"). The Trough is only one squadron of the Weapons School. The Weapons School's squadrons include: A-10, AC-130, B-1, B-2, B-52, C-17, C-130, F-15C, F-15E, F-16C, HH-60, KC-135, MC-130, MH-53, Command and Control Operations, Intelligence, Space, and Support.

"Because of our very close relationship with Nellis Air Force Base and in particular the guys with ‘The Trough’, we wanted to do something for fun for the military," Gaughan said. "We invite people from that unit we are recognizing to the race. Our liaison - MSgt. Phillip Freeman - comes to a lot of races with us and we are honored to have him. Anytime the U.S. military is anywhere near us we are honored to be with them."