Feature Search

  • A Return to Sumpter Smith

    If you have recently passed through the gate at the 117th Air Refueling Wing, you may have noticed a new message on the digital marque in front of the Medical Group that reads “Welcome to Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base.” Who is Sumpter Smith and why is the 117th Air Refueling Wing adopting

  • Outstanding Airmen Recognized

    The 117th Airman of the Quarter Program is designed to recognize, provide professional development and performance achievement for the wing’s outstanding Airmen. They are nominated by their supervisors and endorsed by their commander into the program for competition. “We want to recognize model

  • Yellow Ribbons

     “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” performed by Dawn featuring Tony Orlando was one of the biggest hits of the 1970s. It cracked the Top 10 in 10 countries, and took the top spot in eight of those when it was released in 1973. Many of us know the chorus, “tie a yellow ribbon 'round the

  • Women in Aviation Day

    Innovation is a word that reminds us of our best selves; our endless zeal that demands we constantly push the limit of what is possible. As President John F. Kennedy said in his speech to Rice University in 1962, “We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new

  • New Program Awards Squadron Members

    The 117th Force Support Squadron recently adopted a new program designed to recognize more airmen for their hard work and efforts to support the air refueling mission.The “Sustainment Flight Recognition Program” is made up of board members who interview nominees each quarter and select those who are

  • Making Something Out of Nothing

    Metals technology Airmen here at the 117th Air Refueling Wing know how to be innovative.  Some of their job descriptions are the same as engineers and programmers. The shop has various pieces of equipment from manual lathes to welding tools, each requiring a different skillset in itself.“We can take

  • 117th Captain Earns Distinguished Awards

    "Excellence in All We Do." It's the Air Force core value that comes to mind when you notice the recent accomplishments by Captain Mitchell June. June recently returned from Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base where he was named a Distinguished Graduate, a title only given to the top

  • Love Week

    Most Airmen in the Air National Guard have to juggle two careers.  A call to duty may take them away from their home and civilian career at any time.  First Lt. Ben Ortiz is a pilot with the 106th Air Refueling Squadron in Birmingham and a systems engineer for Delta Airlines in Atlanta.  Ortiz

  • Aircrew Survival Training

    Airmen from the 117th Air Refueling Wing recently found themselves in an unfamiliar land, with unknown terrain, no security and no known point or time of departure.  With all of the uncertainty, a source of food and water had to be found.  The pressure intensified when they had to avoid enemy