http://www.117arw.ang.af.mil en-US Sun, 19 May 2013 23:29:54 GMT Sun, 19 May 2013 23:29:54 GMT Air Force Link RSS Generator http://www.117arw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123347123 "We are very saddened to hear of the KC-135R crash in Kyrgyzstan. The 117th Air Refueling Wing does, in fact, have members and aircraft deployed to Kyrgyzstan. We would like to confirm that no 117th members or aircraft were involved in this crash.
more...]]> mark.owen@ang.af.mil (MSgt Ken Johnson) http://www.117arw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123347123 Fri, 3 May 2013 18:50:00 EST http://www.117arw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123345492 Captain Thomas "Pete" Ray was honored today during a short wreath laying ceremony.

Ray, a pilot from the Alabama Air National Guard was killed on April 18, 1961 during the Bay of Pigs invasion as part of a CIA secret mission authorized by President John F. Kennedy. Ray's body wasn't returned to the United States until 1979 where he now rest at Forest Hill Cemetery overlooking the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.

more...]]> mark.owen@ang.af.mil (MSgt Ken Johnson) http://www.117arw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123345492 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:15:00 EST http://www.117arw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123344349 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.

"How can you encapsulate a 41 year career in a few words? I have known Chief Phillips a very long time and I have served with him throughout the wing. He was truly a mentor, a friend and he taught me a lot about leadership," said the 117th Air Refueling Wing Commander Col. Cliff James.
more...]]> mark.owen@ang.af.mil (1st Lt. Jonathan Russell) http://www.117arw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123344349 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 18:12:00 EST http://www.117arw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123344318
The Air National Guard standard is to have 95 percent processed within 30 days. The 117th Air Refueling Wing Military Pay processed 97.02 percent within 30 days.

"I am so proud of our office and the hard work everyone puts in! Staying late, coming in early, working weekends, and striving to provide great customer service. Special thanks to Master Sgt. Lynisha Glenn who leads our financial services area," said Master Sgt. Kecalf Sharp of the 117th Air Refueling Wing Military Pay section.
more...]]> mark.owen@ang.af.mil (1st Lt. Jonathan Russell) http://www.117arw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123344318 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 14:45:42 EST http://www.117arw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123339488 Approximately 30 aircrew from the 106th Air Refueling Squadron and crew chiefs from the 117th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron participated in survival, evasion, resistance and escape refresher training here on Saturday.

During the training, the service members practiced techniques they would use if their aircraft was shot down behind enemy lines. The training included land navigation, evasion techniques and procedures for being rescued by a helicopter.

"The hardest part of the training is always navigating across rough terrain, and doing that in a way that is not going to reveal your location to the bad guys," said Capt. Mike Adams.
more...]]> mark.owen@ang.af.mil (1st Lt. Jonathan Russell) http://www.117arw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123339488 Sun, 10 Mar 2013 16:45:28 EST