If you didn't get your very own gold-plated murder machine during the Gears of War 3 beta back in April, we've got good news - which is, uh, that you'll still be able to do that. The US Air Force is sponsoring "Gears of War 3 Golden Wings Week" for next week's Gears 3 launch, and players who go online to share their chainsaw-powered love with other Gears players between September 20 - 26 will unlock the Golden Lancer and Golden Hammerburst weapon skins.

While these don't actually do anything (other than make you a more obvious target, possibly), they are a great way to let people know you were playing the game before they were. Unless you weren't, in which case, let the bonding begin!

Of course, you can get even more bonding in via the real-world, real-big Gears of War 3 launch event at the Times Square Best Buy in New York on September 19th, which comes complete with its own real-live Cliff Bleszinski. Or, we guess you could just watch the live broadcast on Gametrailers TV with host Aisha Tyler, or go to one of the more pedestrian midnight releases. You know. If you're boring.