Showing posts with label
will rogers air national guard base.
Show all posts
Showing posts with label
will rogers air national guard base.
Show all posts
by Senior Airman Kasey Phipps
137th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
8/1/2015 - WILL ROGERS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Okla. -- The
137th Air Refueling Wing officially welcomed flying operations back to
Will Rogers Air National Guard Base by recognizing the arrival of the
Air Force MC-12W aircraft during a ribbon cutting ceremony, Aug. 1.
"We're very excited to have the mission back at Will Rogers and have
everybody here and back under one roof," said 137 ARW Commander Col.
Devin R. Wooden.
Following Wooden, Army Maj. Gen. Robbie L. Asher, the Oklahoma National
Guard Adjutant General, spoke on the varied history of the 137 ARW and
its aircraft while also looking forward to the importance of the MC-12
mission.
"This is going to be a challenging mission," said Asher. "This is going
to be an exciting mission, and this is going to be a demanding mission.
There's a huge need for this aircraft in theaters around the world."
The arrival of the MC-12 and the 137 ARW's transition to the Air Force
Special Operations Command marks the return of flying operations to
WRANGB for the first time since 2007.
"This is important to bring flying operations back to Will Rogers
because it allows our Airmen to actually see the mission," said Wooden.
"It lets everyone know that what they're supporting is actually taking
place and just gives a visual indicator of what it is we're here to do.
Lt. Gen. Bradley A. Heithold, Air Force Special Operation Command
commander, looks forward to the partnership between AFSOC and the
Oklahoma Air National Guard and focused on the intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance aspects of the AFSOC mission.
"The whole reason why we're standing up this wing here is so we can
provide more ISR to combatant commanders," he said. "It's vitally
important to the success of our mission on the battlefield."
The MC-12 is the first of 13 aircraft slated to arrive at WRANGB.
by Senior Airman Justin Creech
137th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
7/31/2015 - NORMAN, Okla. -- Airmen
from Will Rogers Air National Guard base provided support for The
Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System's second annual health fair event
at Little Axe Health Clinic here, July 31, 2015.
Members of the 137th Air Refueling Wing's Medical Group, Air National
Guard Recruiting Office and 146th Air Support Operations Squadron set up
displays featuring CPR manikin, litters to illustrate combat care,
self-aid buddy care and a Humvee to demonstrate individual first aid kit
capabilities.
The Medical Group was happy to take time to share an aspect of WRANGB's mission with the local community.
"We like to interact with the community because a lot of people aren't
aware our base exists," said Tech Sgt. Krystle Slater, 137 Medical Group
health systems specialist. "So, it's a chance to increase our
visibility."
The Medical Group participated, in part, because of an internal
relationship with the Absentee Shawnee Tribe Health Center. Mark Rogers,
Absentee Shawnee Tribe Health Center executive director, is also the
137 Medical Group rediness officer. Rogers feels it is important the ANG
supports the Shawnee tribe since aspects of the guard culture can
contribute to growth in Absentee Shawnee Tribe wellness.
"Health and wellness is important across the board," said Rogers.
"Serving in the guard teaches members to maintain a healthy lifestyle,
which provides us with a better tribal member and for a more vibrant
tribal leader."
Providing support for an important local organization like The Absentee
Shawnee Tribe is an added benefit of going to the fair for Slater.
"Every civilian should know the military is here to support them," said
Slater. "We want the Absentee Shawnee Tribe to know they are a part of
the community as well."
The fair kicked off with remarks from Edwina Butler-Wolfe, Absentee Shawnee Tribe governor.
"I appreciate the community outreach," said Butler-Wolfe. "The guard
being here provides more comfort since you know someone outside of the
tribe is willing to offer help."
by Senior Airman Justin Creech
137th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
7/30/2015 - WILL ROGERS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Okla. -- The
Oklahoma Air National Guard's 137th Air Refueling Wing welcomed the
arrival of the Air Force MC-12W aircraft here, July 10.
The arrival of the MC-12 marks the return of flying operations to WRANGB for the first time since 2007.
The 137 ARW received the MC-12 based on its manpower, facilities,
existing command structure, and strong relationships with local
community leaders. The geographical location of the 137th provides a
highly conducive flying environment and appropriate training facilities.
"The 137th Air Refueling Wing is very excited to return flying
operations back to Will Rogers Air National Guard Base and join Air
Force Special Operations Command," said Air Force Col. Devin R. Wooden,
137 ARW commander. "Our last eight years at Tinker Air Force Base and
our partnership with the 507th Air Refueling Wing is an honored part of
our great history. We proudly flew off of this ramp for 58 years before
we left for Tinker and to be a part of the team to bring flying
operations back is very satisfying. I feel like everyone is back home."
The MC-12 is a medium-to low-altitude, twin-engine turboprop aircraft.
Its primary mission is to provide intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance support directly to ground forces serving overseas.
The partnership between AFSOC and the Air National Guard, and the
ability of the ANG to retain members is another reason WRANGB was chosen
to house the MC-12. Air National Guard members historically leave units
at significantly lower rates than Active Duty units, which will allow
Manned Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance expertise
to be retained long-term and become more fully developed. The ANG unit
will be able to retain critical expertise by recruiting and retaining
those members who are planning to separate from active duty.
"I am personally very happy to be back at the base at which I began my
military career," said Air Force Lt. Col. Justin Walker, 185th Air
Refueling Squadron commander. "I am also very excited about the addition
of new tactical Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircrew
members to the squadron.
The basing of the MC-12 is a significant moment for the 137 ARW as they
transition to an Air Force Special Operations Wing. As a part of AFSOC,
the wing will provide highly-trained Air Commandos to execute global
special operations missions.
As part of the first Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve partnership,
the 137 ARW has been functioning as a geographically separated base with
KC-135 Stratotanker flight operations at Tinker Air Force Base and
support operations at WRANGB. This partnership was the result of the
last major Base Relocation and Closure commission that threatened the
137th with permanent closure.
"The squadron, and ultimately the wing are poised for complete mission
success due to the mix of current and new members," said Walker.
Posts
