JANUARY 2006 - For those of you who had your head buried in the sand back in October, an Airman assigned to Little Rock AFB, Ark., was selected as Miss Arkansas USA Oct. 28.

You heard correctly:  2nd Lt. Kelly George, a resident of Sherwood, Ark., and the deputy chief of Public Affairs for the 314th Airlift Wing, took home the prestigious title.

Brig. Gen. Kip Self, the 314th Airlift Wing commander at Littlerock, had this to say: "Kelly represents the Air Force and Arkansas well.  She takes to heart the spirit of service in dedicating herself to civic duty and service to the country."

Lieutenant George has been preparing for pageants for more than a decade and says training for pageants is similar to being an Airman in the Air Force.

"You have to be a good role model in the Air Force and as Miss Arkansas USA," she said. "The key is to embody all the qualities of a healthy lifestyle and be a good role model and represent yourself and the state well."

In fact, according to the Miss USA Web site, "Contestants must be savvy, goal-oriented and aware, and display those characteristics in their everyday lives, both as individuals who participate in the competitions to advance their career, personal and humanitarian goals, and as women who seek to improve the lives of others."

Lieutenant George said winning is important because "this breaks stereotypes about women in pageants and women in the military."

The lieutenant will compete in the Miss USA Pageant March 23, 2007, in front of several million viewers on NBC and may possibly have appearance on "Deal or No Deal" as well as "Fear Factor."

CHairforce.com will be cheering for Lieutenant George.

(Information courtesy of Air Force News Service)