Wisconsin Air Guard's 128th Air Refueling Wing supports presidential visit

Date: July 1, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Nathan T. Wallin
128th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

The Milwaukee-based 128th Air Refueling Wing played a supporting role in President Barack Obama's visit to the dairy state Wednesday (June 30).

Air Force One touched down at General Mitchell International Airport around noon, where the 128th's security force, in coordination with the Secret Service and other government officials, had been preparing the base for his arrival. This is the first time the 128th has supported a presidential visit, a Mitchell Field responsibility previously handled by the Air Force Reserve's 440th Airlift Wing.

After briskly departing the aircraft, the president greeted Gov. Jim Doyle, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and 128th Air Refueling Wing Commander, Col. Ted Metzgar.

Also standing ready to welcome and greet the president were more than 100 Airmen, including Senior Airman Justin Gruber, a crew chief in the 128th's Maintenance Squadron.

"It was pretty cool," Gruber said. "He came over to us really quick and I froze for a second."

"He looked at me, and I said 'Welcome, Mr. President,' and he replied, 'Thank you for your service,'" Gruber added.

Tech. Sgt. Kristen Henrichs, a military pay technician in the 128th's Finance Office, also met the president.

"He's very personable and friendly - he looked me right in the eye and said, 'It's nice to meet you,'" Henrichs said following the visit. "It was an awesome day - it's not every day you get to meet the president."

Soon after he greeted the assembled Airmen, the president was gone, his motorcade on its way to the town hall meeting at Racine's Memorial Hall, where he had the opportunity to meet another Wisconsin National Guard member. Army Staff Sgt. Emily Russell sang the National Anthem to begin the town hall meeting.

The president's appearance at the 128th Air Refueling Wing, though brief, was the second supported by the Wisconsin Air National Guard in the past eight months. The first occurred last November at Madison's 115th Fighter Wing.