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  • Shadow Box Returned to Family

    A lost shadow box of a former member of the 117th Air Refueling Wing was returned to his family here yesterday. Tech. Sgt. Richard E. Thomason joined the 117 ARW in 1948 as a firefighter. He received the shadow box when he retired in 1972. A shadow box is a glass front box that encompasses the

  • 18th Air Force Commander Visits 117th Air Refueling Wing

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Lt. Gen. Darren McDew, the 18th Air Force commander, visited the 117th Air Refueling Wing here on Tuesday and Wednesday.McDew met with Brig. Gen. Steven Berryhill, Alabama Air National Guard commander, Col. Cliff James, 117 ARW commander and other commanders on base.McDew was lead

  • CBRNE Exercise provides valuable training for 117th ARW first responders

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-- The 117th Air Refueling Wing CBRNE Response Team participated in an exercise today as a way to test the ability to respond to a variety of potentially hazardous situations. Technical Sergeant Steve Gaunt, the 117th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Manager, was a key player in

  • 117th Air Refueling Wing commander responds to KC-135R crash

    The news of a KC-135R Stratotanker crash in Kyrgyzstan was a cause for concern throughout the 117th Air Refueling Wing today. The wing has been flying the KC-135R since 1994 and currently has personnel deployed in the Kyrgyzstan area. In an effort to respond to possible involvement in the crash, Col

  • Bay of Pigs veteran honored

    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

  • Command Chief retires after 41 years of service

    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.

  • Military Pay Section Highest Ranked

    The 117th Air Refueling Wing Military Pay section is the highest ranked guard unit in processing military pay documents for the second consecutive month. The Air National Guard standard is to have 95 percent processed within 30 days. The 117th Air Refueling Wing Military Pay processed 97.02

  • Service members participate in SERE training

    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

  • 117th Air Refueling Wing Welcomes New Deputy Staff Judge Advocate

    The 117th Air Refueling Wing would like to welcome Capt. Carlissa Carson who has joined us as a deputy staff judge advocate. Carson comes to us from the 335th Signal Command Brigade in Atlanta, Ga. She brings with her nine years of military legal experience. She completed Army ROTC in 2005 at

  • Boy Scouts and Youth Group Tour Base

    The 117th Air Refueling Wing had a special visit during the November drill weekend. There were two different groups in attendance for the visit. Boy Scouts with Troop 119 and 007 in Birmingham and a youth group from the Greater New Antioch Baptist Church in Ensley were here on base. The age of the