Remember.

[Pages:17]est. February 1980

A MAGAZINE BY THE 163D ATTACK WING

MAY 2017

Remember .

HONORING OUR FALLEN

MEMORIAL DAY 2017

/163ATKW

@163ATKW

163ATKW.ang.af.mil

PRESS DOWN ARROW OR SCROLL MOUSE TO ADVANCE; HIT ESCAPE TO EXIT FULL SCREEN VIEW

On GUARD is proudly published for the members of the 163d Attack Wing and their families.

Public Affairs Office

2nd Lt. Jessica Huerta Senior Master Sgt. Stanley Thompson Tech. Sgt. Neil Ballecer Tech. Sgt. Joseph McKee Tech. Sgt. Gregory Solman Senior Airman Cynthia Innocenti Airman 1st Class Crystal Housman Airman Michelle Ulber

Special thanks to: Kat Lange, On GUARD logo designer

The On GUARD is the official magazine of the 163d Attack Wing, March Air Reserve Base, California.

The contents of On GUARD are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force or the 163d Attack Wing.

Wing Commander

Col. Dana Hessheimer

Command Chief

Chief Master Sgt. Gilbert Sanchez

163throwback

Integrity First Service Before Self

Excellence In All We Do

Norton Air Force Base, 1947. Our wing was then the 196th Fighter Squadron and these guys were flying P-51 Mustangs. Standing, left to right: Joe Long, Les Lundberg, Al Moorman, Bill Burnette, unknown, Hiram Caroom. Kneeling, left to right: Don Frisbie, Bob Love, Jack Walker, Art Bridge. (163d Attack Wing archive photo) Note: names

spelled as documented on back of photo. Let us know if our spellings need to be updated.

COVERstory

REMEMBER: In honor of Memorial Day, this month we pause to remember Airmen who perished on duty while assigned to the 163d Attack Wing and its predecessors.

MORE PHOTOS AND STORY ON PG. 10

Our Mission

To be one team providing dedicated, disciplined and diverse Guardsmen ready to defend our state, nation

and local communities from any threats that compromise the safety, security and well-being of our citizens and allies.

MAY 2017

3

4

Air National Guard photo by Maj. Christopher MAY 2017

PICTUREthis

A 163d Attack Wing MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft is ready for a preflight inspection April 27 at March Air Reserve Base. The wing recently moved some of its aircraft from Southern California Logistics Airport to March ARB.

MAY 2017

5

AROUNDtheFORCE

First enlisted Airmen since World War II finish pilot training

by Randy Martin, 12th Flying Training Wing Published May 5, 2017

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH,

Texas (AFNS) -- The first three NCOs have completed the Air Force's undergraduate remotely piloted aircraft training (URT) program here May 5, and one was a distinguished graduate.

Master Sgt. Mike was in the top 10 percent of his 20 classmates academically and shared top honors. He is one of 12 enlisted candidates that were selected from the Air Force after Dec. 17, 2015, for a bold initiative called the enlisted pilot initial class. In EPIC, enlisted Airmen were included with commissioned officers during RPA pilot training.

In its 70 years as a separate service, the Air Force has relied almost exclusively on commissioned officers for its pilots.

Last November, as part of their initial flight training (IFT) near Pueblo Memorial Airport, Colorado, each student soloed a DA-20 Katana aircraft just like all other pilots, fellow RPA pilots, and combat systems officers.

Mike was the first EPIC student to solo at IFT and he was confident that fellow enlisted Airmen can succeed at IFT and URT.

"If there is something you really

Tech. Sgt. Mike, Master Sgt. Alex and Master Sgt. Mike stand next to a T-6A Texan II parked on the flightline at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, May 4, 2017. They completed undergraduate remotely piloted aircraft training May 5 and are the first Air Force enlisted Airmen to train as pilots since World War II. Master Sgt. Mike was a distinguished graduate in the URT class of 20 including 17 commissioned officers. (U.S. Air Force illustration/Tech. Sgt. Ave I. Young)

want, it's achievable. You just have to put in the effort," Mike said.

Mike and his classmates continued URT on Jan. 6, 2017, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph for the second and third phases of the pipeline that produces all Air Force RPA pilots. Phases 2 and 3 of URT lasted about four months and consisted of RPA instrument qualification and RPA fundamentals training.

"What makes this accomplishment even more extraordinary is the quality of the students who make up this URT class 17-10," said Lt. Col. Jason Thompson, the 558th Flying Training Squadron commander, who is responsible for training pilots and sensor operators at JB San Antonio-Randolph.

Almost 90 percent of URT 17-10's students are recent college graduates and one is the Air Force's first RPA pilot physician, Maj. Joe.

Second Lt. Brianna, Mike's fellow distinguished graduate, is one of the best pilots to have completed URT in recent memory, Thompson said.

After URT, Mike and his fellow enlisted pilots Master Sgt. Alex and Tech. Sgt. Mike, advance to formal training at Beale Air Force Base, California, for a basic qualification course where pilots qualify on the RQ-4 Global Hawk. The Global Hawk is a long-duration intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance weapon system that supports missions worldwide.

The Air Force Personnel Center continues to plan and fill the RPA pilot training pipeline with enlisted Airmen and commissioned officers.

"There are a lot of opportunities that could become available to enlisted Airmen," Mike said.

(Editor's note: Last names omitted for security purposes.)

6

MAY 2017

BRIEFS

Honor Guard seeks 163d members

The Blue Eagles Total Force Honor Guard is seeking

163d Attack Wing members to attend an honor guard

training course June 5-16 at March Air Reserve Base.

Airmen wanted for Weather Flt. openings

Members who successfully complete this training will be assigned to the Honor Guard Reserve Team with consideration of becoming a full time team member assigned to the base.

The following requirements are mandatory to be considered for an interview.

Packages must include:

- Copy of member's vMPF, which must reflect living in a designated commuting area within 90 days

- Copy of member's current fit to fight assessment test

Member cannot have facial hair or physical profiles. No waivers will be accepted. Members must have no UIF's or pending UIF action.

If interested, please contact Master Sgt. Powell at (951) 655-2242 to schedule an interview.

May Holidays & Observances

EOD Day............................................................................................... May 2 Holocaust Remembrance Day (Days of Remembrance).......................... May 5 National Nurses Day............................................................................. May 6 V-E Day................................................................................................. May 8 National Day of Prayer............................................................... First Thursday Public Service Recognition Week....................................................First Week National Small Business Week........................................................First Week Military Spouse Day.................................................................. Second Friday Mother's Day..........................................................................Second Sunday Armed Forces Week...................................................................Second Week Armed Forces Day.................................................................... Third Saturday Memorial Day............................................................................. Last Monday National Military Appreciation Month............................................Month-long Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month........................Month-long Month of the Military Caregiver.....................................................Month-long Mental Health Month....................................................................Month-long Women's Health Month.................................................................Month-long Jewish American Heritage Month...................................................Month-long

210 Weather Flight, the 163d's battlefield weather team, which supports U.S. Army aviation brigades, is currently looking for enlisted Airmen who are interested in cross-training.

The flight supports U.S. Army aviation brigades by providing weather forecasting for aviation operations. Deployment opportunities may include the continental U.S., the Middle East, Europe, South America, Korea, and Australia.

The minimum ASVAB scores required for these positions are 50 in electronics and 66 in general. Applicants must have normal color vision.

Current and prior service members will complete active duty training including a nine month weather course in Mississippi, four months of follow-on training in Florida, four months of seasoning days at March Air Reserve Base, and a one month battlefield weather mission qualification course in either Florida or Arizona.

Interested personnel and those with questions may contact 210 WF at (951) 655-2954 or contact Retention at (951) 655-3078.

Airman & Family Readiness, FSS, move to headquarters

The 163d Airman & Family Readiness office is now located inside the 163d Attack Wing headquarters building on Graeber St.

Members of the 163d Force Support Squadron have also moved into the headquarters building. All personnel matters requiring FSS, except for ID cards, can be conducted in the headquarters building.

The base ID card office is located in building 2314.

MAY 2017

7

SPOTLIGHT

An MQ-9 Reaper from the 163d Attack Wing made an historic landing April 5 at March Air Reserve Base. The landing became the first full-stop landing for a remotely piloted aircraft at the base, and marked a mile-

stone in the effort to move the wing's flight operations from Southern California Logistics Airport to March.

Above: Airmen from the 163d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron inspect the aircraft after it taxied to the hangar. Above Right: Staff Sgt. James, an airfield manager assigned to the 163d Operations Group, drives

a follow-me truck to guide the MQ-9 from the runway to the hangar . Opposing page, left: Airmen from the 163d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron chat underneath the aircraft following a successful landing. Opposing

page, right: Senior Airman Marco marshalls the aircraft for parking.

(Air National Guard photos by Airman 1st Class Crystal Housman)

The Land of Opportunity

8

MAY 2017

MAY 2017

9

Memorial Day 2017

Honoring

Our Fallen

In observance of Memorial Day, we pause to remember those who lost their lives while perform-

ing duties assigned to, or affiliated with, the 163d Attack Wing and its predecessors.

May their memories live on, and may we never forget.

2nd Lt. Edward Thompson, Jr.

? March 14, 1947 ?

Thompson died in a P-51 Mustang crash about nine miles east of Kelso, now part of the Mojave National Preserve. An Army veteran, he served as a transport pilot

during World War II.

Capt. Billy Latta

? August 9, 1949 ?

Latta, 30, was killed when his F-51 Mustang crashed into the ocean near Venice on a routine training flight during the unit's summer encampment in Victorville. He worked as a salesman and was a World War II veteran.

1st Lt. William Stutt

? May 1, 1951 ?

Stutt's F-84 Thunderjet crashed during a training flight near Springfield, Missouri, during the unit's activation with the 116th Fighter Bomber Wing. Stutt, 26, commissioned in 1945

as a Naval Aviator.

1st Lt. William R.

Fleming

? February 14, 1952 ?

Fleming was fatally injured in an F-84 Thunderjet collision during a patrol flight off the coast of Japan. Local fisher-

men recovered Fleming's body and rescued the other

pilot from the frigid sea.

Maj. Warren H. Hamilton

? March 31, 1952 ?

Hamilton was one of two unit members killed when a B-26 light bomber crashed near the Japanese island of Hokkaido. He served as an instrument flight examiner

with the 196th.

1st Lt. Robert Dixon

? January 20, 1957 ?

Dixon's F-86 Sabrejet exploded in midair 15 miles northeast of San Diego,

during a routine training flight. In his civilian occupation, Dixon worked as an engineer at General

Dynamics.

2nd Lt. Gary Thrall

? August 1966 ?

Thrall, 27, and his Air Force flight instructor, died when their T-33 jet trainer crashed near Dallas. The pair were on a cross-country flight to Perrin Air Force Base, Texas. Two of Thrall's uncles -- both pilots -- were killed in action

during World War II.

Maj. Charles Upham

? June 8, 1980 ?

Upham, 38, was flying a Cessna O-2 SkyMaster that crashed over a tactical range at Fort Irwin, north of Barstow, during a training mission. He and his co-pilot were preparing to fire white phosphorous rockets used to mark targets for jet fighters.

1st Lt. Randy Pryor

? April 14, 1982 ?

Pryor was the Weapons Systems Officer of an F-4 Phantom that crashed during a practice bomb run with inert ordnance at the Avon Park Bombing Range in Florida. He was in training at MacDill

Air Force Base in Florida.

Capt. David Miller

? July 1, 1985 ?

Miller was a Weapons Systems Officer flying in a low altitude formation of four F-4 Phantoms when his jet crashed en route to the Smoky Hill Bombing Range from McConnell Air Force

Base in Kansas.

1st Lt. Jack L. Osborn

? March 31, 1952 ?

Osborn, of San Bernardino, died with Hamilton in a B-26 light bomber crash near the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido during the unit's

activation for the Korean War. As a Grizzly, he was a member of the Utility Flight.

Maj. Joseph S. Long, Jr.

? April 7, 1952 ?

Long flew B-26 Invaders with the 3d Bomb Group and went missing during a night

mission in Korea. The Air Force concluded reports of his capture were "probably true." He was unaccounted for after the war and is presumed dead. He previously commanded the

196th Utility Flight.

Capt. Norman Lee

Chapman

? May 23, 1952 ?

Chapman died in an aircraft accident while stationed at Chitose Air Base in Japan. During World War II, he served with the Headquarters and Base Staff of the 58th Air Service Group. He received an Air Medal and one

Oak Leaf Cluster.

Lt. Col. Howard Galbreath

? June 28, 1952 ?

Galbreath's F-84 crashed in a field near Misawa Air Base,

Japan, after having engine trouble. He was the 116th Fighter Bomber Group Commander. He flew 167 combat

sorties in World War II.

1st Lt. Philip H.

Henry

? September 4, 1956 ?

Henry's F-86 Sabrejet collided with another F-86 15 miles south of Palmdale during a routine training flight. He was a 1948 graduate of Chaffey High School in Ontario.

10

MAY 2017

Capt. Dean Paul

Martin

? March 21, 1987 ?

Martin, 35, was piloting an F-4C Phantom that crashed into Mt. San Gorgonio near Palm Springs during a training mission. Martin joined the unit in 1981 and had 425 hours of flight time. He was an actor and the son of enter-

tainer Dean Martin.

Capt. Ramon Ortiz

? March 21, 1987 ?

Ortiz, 39, was the Weapons Systems Officer of the F-4C that crashed into Mt. San Gorgonio . He spent 10 years in the active

duty Air Force before joining the 163d. He was a traditional Guardsman and worked as a corporate real estate officer at a

Las Vegas-area bank.

Staff Sgt. Sheila Willits

? July 6, 1989 ?

Willits, 22, a member of the 163d Mission Support Squadron, was fatally injured while observing aircraft takeoffs when an F-4E Phantom collided with the runway supervisory vehicle she was in. Nearly 1,000 members of the 163d family attended her memo-

rial service.

Maj. R. Michael

McGann

? June 13, 1990 ?

McGann piloted an F-4E Phantom II that crashed about 60 miles west of Las Vegas not far from Death Valley National Monument. He was a traditional Guards-

man.

Capt. T. Michael

Steed

? June 13, 1990 ?

Steed, 36, served as the Weapons Systems Officer on the F-4E that crashed west of Las Vegas. He was a full-time technician at the 163d and

lived in the Moreno Valley area.

MAY 2017

11

CONGRATS

A folded flag is presented to Senior Master Sgt. Cynthia Clark, who retired from the 163d Attack Wing after 35 years of service, during a ceremony at March Air Reserve Base, April 1.

(Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Gregory Solman)

Farewell,

friends.

Three members retire during April drill

PROMOTED

Anthony of the 163d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron is promoted to Master Sgt. during April drill.

(Courtesy photo)

DOWNRANGE

Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen Wilson meets Airmen deployed from the 163d Civil Engineer Squadron at an undisclosed location earlier this spring. Left, Master Sgt. Emilio receives a certificate from Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright while being named group-level senior NCO of the month for March. (Courtesy photos)

Marco of the 163d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron is promoted to Senior Airman during April drill.

(Courtesy photo)

RECOGNIZED

Master Sgt. Jimmy, right, retires from the 163d Attack Wing after 35 years of service, and receives a Meritorious Service Medal from Col. Blake LaMar during a ceremo-

ny at March Air Reserve Base, April 1. (Air National Guard photo by

Tech. Sgt. Gregory Solman)

Lt. Col. Michael, right, of the 163d Attack Wing, receives a certificate of retirement from Mission Support Group Commander Col. Donald Farmer

during an April 1 ceremony at March Air Reserve Base.

(Air National Guard photo by Airman Michelle Ulber)

12

MAY 2017

Tech. Sgt. Wilfredo of the 163d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron is presented an Air Force Commendation Medal during April drill.

(Courtesy photo)

Senior Airman Thabit, who is deployed from the 163d Security Forces Squadron, is recognized with the Diamond Sharp award from the first sergeants at his location. (Courtesy photo)

Senior Airman Lyndon, who is deployed from the 163d Communications Flight, is recognized as Airman of the Quarter for his location in March. (Courtesy photo)

Know someone who deserves a shout-out? Email the 163d ATKW

Public Affairs team at usaf.ca.163-aw.mbx.pa@mail.mil to let us know who got promoted,

who received an award, or who did something else that was just plain awesome. Snapped a

photo? We'll take it. Send it to our way and it might show up in the next issue of On Guard!

MAY 2017

13

JUMPED

Senior Airman Byron Miller strikes a pose before a tandem sky dive jump in April with a member of the SkyHawks, the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team, at Perris Airport. Members of Team March were offered tandem jumps while the team was practicing nearby. (Courtesy photo)

REENLISTED

NEWCOMERS

Airmen of the 163d Attack Wing reenlist before their commander, Col. Dana Hessheimer, in a ceremony at March Air Reserve Base, April 2.

(Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Gregory Solman)

Lt. Col. Matthew accepts command of the 160th Attack Squadron from Lt. Col. Kristy during an April 1 ceremony.

14

MAY 2017

FTU, AMXS get new commanders

Two squadrons of the 163d Attack Wing received new commanders April 1 during a joint ceremony and formation held at March Air Reserve Base. Lt. Col. Michaela assumed command of the 163d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron while Lt. Col. Matthew accepted command of the 160th Attack Squadron.

(Air National Guard photos by Airman Michelle Ulber and Airman 1st Class Crystal Housman)

MAY 2017

15

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download