Bay of Pigs veteran honored

Lt.Col.Trent Mitchell lays a wreath during a ceremony honoring Captain Thomas “Pete” Ray who was shot down during the Bay of Pigs invasion. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by MSgt Ken Johnson/Released)

Command Chief retires after 41 years of service

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Command Chief Master Sgt. Mickey R. Phillips retirement ceremony was held today here on base. The command chief is the highest ranking enlisted member in the 117th Air Refueling Wing. Phillips was the fourth command chief to serve the commander of the 117th Air Refueling Wing. Chief Master Sgt. David Bullard will serve as the new command chief for the 117th Air Refueling Wing. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. David Maxwell/Released)

SERE exercise

Alabama Air National Guard members from the 117th Air Refueling Wing arrive in a remote area to participate in a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) exercise. The purpose of the training is for pilots, boom operators and crew chiefs to know what to do if their aircraft goes down behind enemy lines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. David Maxwell)

SERE exercise

Alabama Air National Guard members from the 117th Air Refueling Wing arrive in a remote area to participate in a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) exercise. The purpose of the training is for pilots, boom operators and crew chiefs to know what to do if their aircraft goes down behind enemy lines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. David Maxwell)

Surge exercise

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Members of the 117th Maintenance Group prepare a KC-135 for a mission during the 24 hour surge exercise on Nov.15, 2012. The purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate conventional aircraft generation and employment from the home base location without the aid of any outside resources. The surge generated 15 sorties, 48.7 flying hours, 156,000 gallons of fuel and one deployed maintenance recovery team who assisted another base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ken Johnson)

Surge exercise

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The 117th Air Refueling Wing was involved in a 24 hour surge exercise on Nov.15, 2012. The purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate conventional aircraft generation and employment from the home base location without the aid of any outside resources. The surge generated 15 sorties, 48.7 flying hours, 156,000 gallons of fuel and one deployed maintenance recovery team who assisted another base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ken Johnson)