A 1991 alumnus of Arkansas State University at Jonesboro and former mascot (Spirit Joe), Capt. Akers attended graduate school and joined the Air National Guard, serving in the USAF. He has been deployed to the Middle East since the early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Today he is with the 130th Airlift Wing from Charleston, W. V., where he serves as an aircraft commander on a C130 (a propeller driven, cargo/transport aircraft). His aircraft can carry anything from fire trucks, road graders, or small tanks to any type of cargo weighing as much as 77 tons.

Capt. Akers recently began communicating with ASU President Dr. Les Wyatt via email expressing a desire to have an ASU Indians flag to display in the desert. Akers explained to Dr. Wyatt that he had taken 10 American flags with him to the Middle East to carry on every mission during the war. Akers further explained that upon his return from the Middle East, he planned to give each one of the flags to people who had been instrumental in his life.

In his email, Capt. Akers said that he wanted to give an American flag to Dr. Wyatt for the university. "I chose to attend ASU, and it was one of the most positive experiences of my life. I have a degree in psychology which has helped throughout my career in the military," he stated. "Hopefully, you will find a suitable place to proudly fly it," he wrote to Dr. Wyatt.

Capt. Akers did make a request in return. He said that others in his division were displaying flags from their colleges and universities as well as civic clubs (much like was done during the Vietnam War). So, he asked for an ASU Indians flag.

Akers further stated via email, "Serving in the Middle East has not stopped me from keeping up with the events back home. I have been very impressed with the work you and the staff have done at ASU -- making it a first-class university. I was born in Little Rock and grew up in Collierville, Tenn., and chose to attend ASU... I have been a proud alumnus ever since. I learned so many things that helped prepare me for life in general as well as helping to prepare me for graduate school at the University of Memphis."

In response, Dr. Wyatt vowed to proudly fly Capt. Akers' flag over the campus upon his return. Shortly thereafter, Capt. Akers' brother drove from Memphis to pick up an ASU flag which was then sent to the Middle East. On June 24, Capt. Akers posed for a photo with a friend somewhere in the desert (the exact location cannot be disclosed) with an ASU Indians flag.

Capt. Akers is one of 73 ASU alumni known to be serving in the Middle East. During the war, he flew 15 missions into Iraq. (I enjoy the challenges that arise in flying and working with several different crew members. Although, at times, it's very stressful -- especially flying under combat conditions. It is very rewarding to haul a plane load of valuable cargo to the front-line troops who need the supplies,( Capt. Akers stated.

He mentioned his only other challenge is facing the extreme heat and dust. "The high today (July 1) was cool -- only 113 degrees. I am actually surprised. Last week, the low was in the 120's -- in the shade. Today, we had winds up to 25 knots. It all feels pretty much like you are putting your head in the oven and turning on a hair dryer."

To stay in touch with home and happenings at ASU, Capt. Akers reported that he daily reads the local newspaper web site and regularly visits the ASU web site.

Capt. Akers and his wife, Donetta, will celebrate their first wedding anniversary on Saturday, July 5.

He should be returning home some time in the next few weeks, and he plans to give Dr. Wyatt an American flag which has been all over Iraq and Afghanistan.

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