11/17/2011 - Dr. Charles Merkel, the 53rd Wing historian, was recently awarded the Distinguished Alumnus in Military Service Award from Columbus State University. Merkel was honored as a CSU alumnus who brought distinction to his country as an Army major, a primary support contractor on the Air Force Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile Program, and a historian. Merkel is the first-ever recipient of this award. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kevin Gaddie)