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  • In a ceremony presided over by Col. Gary Brewer Jr., 161st Maintenance Group commander, Lt. Col. Aimee Storm assumed command of the 161st Maintenance Squadron. Colonel Storm recently concluded an active duty tour in Germany where she served as an Operational Decision Support officer at United States European Command and the Force Support Squadron commander at the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. After enlisting in June 1990 into a consolidated air maintenance squadron in the Ohio Air National Guard as a munitions systems specialist, she transferred to the Colorado Air National Guard and became additionally qualified in munitions operations. In 1993, she transferred to the Arizona Air National Guard and commissioned as a personnel officer at the 161st Air Refueling Wing in 1995. Colonel Storm’s officer assignments also include services flight commander, homeland security coordinator, and military personnel management officer. “For many years I have wanted to get back into maintenance.” Colonel Storm said. “To me, this assignment is like coming home.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Susan Gladstein/Released)

    161st Maintenance Squadron welcomes new commander

    The 161st Maintenance Squadron welcomed a new commander during an Assumption of Command ceremony here Aug. 4, 2012. In a ceremony presided over by Col. Gary Brewer Jr., 161st Maintenance Group commander, Lt. Col. Aimee Storm assumed command of the 161st Maintenance Squadron.Colonel Storm recently concluded an active duty tour in Germany where she
  • Junior ROTC cadets with the 6th Squadron participate in one of the several sports competitions during the Senior Leadership School May 26 to June 1 at Camp Navajo, Flagstaff, Ariz. More than 200 cadets, representing 11 high schools throughout Arizona, attended the Leadership Challenge. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Rebecca Garcia/released)

    JROTC cadets learn leadership, teamwork during camp

    More than 200 cadets, representing 11 high schools throughout Arizona, gathered May 26 to June 1 at Camp Navajo, Flagstaff, Ariz., for a week-long Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadet Leadership Challenge. The Senior Leadership School is an annual summer camp that provides an opportunity for cadets from different schools to come together and
  • The 161st Logistics Readiness Squadron won the second annual Southwest Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants "Roadeo" April 28 at the Luke Air Force Base 56th LRS POL compound. The teams competed in three events: slalom and backing, figure eight and a tire change. Each course was timed with deductions for hitting cones. "It feels great to be the winner of this year's roadeo," said Master Sgt. Lonnie Luna, 161st ARW fuels management NCO-in-charge. "To have everything click when it mattered and beat these active-duty guys is great." (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class David Owsianka)

    161st LRS leaves "Roadeo" as champions

    The 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron hosted the second annual Southwest Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants "Roadeo" April 28, 2012, at the Luke Air Force Base 56th LRS POL compound.According to Tech. Sgt. Abel Telles, 56th LRS fuels supervisor, the goal of this event was to get back to the basics of training, while maintaining and preparing seasoned
  • Master Sgt. Fred “Wes” Hudgins, 161st Force Support Squadron, has been named as the National Guard’s First Sergeant of the Year for 2012. A traditional Guardsman, Sergeant Hudgins volunteered for a deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan. He served as the 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron first sergeant leading a joint combat environment.

    161st first sergeant named top in National Guard

    Master Sgt. Fred "Wes" Hudgins, former First Sergeant for the 161st Maintenance Squadron and currently assigned to Joint Force Headquarters Air Staff, has been named as the National Guard's First Sergeant of the Year for 2012.A traditional Guardsman, Sergeant Hudgins volunteered for a deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan. He served as the 466th Air
  • A 161st Air Refueling Wing KC-135R Stratotanker and F-16 Falcons from the 162nd Fighter Wing in Tucson fly over May 10, 2012, at the funeral services for retired Maj. Gen. Donald L. Owens. A native of Phoenix, General Owens joined the Arizona Air National Guard as a private in 1952 and served nearly 45 years. He received his Air Force pilot’s wings in 1953, along with his commission as an officer. In 1956, he became the chief of maintenance for the Phoenix Air National Guard Base at Sky Harbor International Airport, a position he held for the next 20 years. He was responsible for the maintenance of the aircraft of the 161st Air Refueling Group. In 1977, he became the chief of base activities for the Phoenix Air National Guard Base. A year later, he became commander of the 161st Air Refueling Group. From 1983 to 1985, he was the commanding general of the Arizona Air National Guard. In 1985, he became the Adjutant General and Director of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, a position he held until 1994. After his retirement from the Arizona Air National Guard, General Owens worked as a consultant for several defense contractors and as the Director of Military Programs for Robertson Aviation. General Owens was inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame in 2010. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer said in a press release, “For his committed service to the State of Arizona and to the United States of America, we are eternally indebted to Maj. Gen. Owens. Please join me in offering a prayer for his family, friends and fellow servicemen and women, each of whom deserves our gratitude and respect.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Courtney Enos/Released)

    Arizona Air National Guard aircraft perform fly over at funeral

    A 161st Air Refueling Wing KC-135R Stratotanker and F-16 Falcons from the 162nd Fighter Wing in Tucson fly over May 10, 2012, at the funeral services for retired Maj. Gen. Donald L. Owens. A native of Phoenix, General Owens joined the Arizona Air National Guard as a private in 1952 and served nearly 45 years. He received his Air Force pilot's wings
  • Alanna Aguirre, 5, throws the first pitch to her dad, Lt. Col. Paul Aguirre during the May 7, 2012, Diamondbacks game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Alanna and her brother, Jackson, 6, did not know their dad was posing as a Diamondbacks catcher. Colonel Aguirre traveled for three days following a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan to surprise his children in a homecoming event they will never forget. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daryl Gladstein/Released)

    Airman returns home from deployment, surprises children

    Some of Lt. Col. Paul Aguirre's family members were missing from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport when he arrived home May 6, 2012, after traveling three days following an seven-month deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan. For the Arizona Air National Guardsman, his plans to reunite with his 6-year-old son Jackson, and 5-year-old daughter
  • Maj. Neal Rodak, 161st Air Refueling Wing assistant judge advocate, was recognized as the Air Mobility Command’s Outstanding Air Reserve Component Judge Advocate of the Year for 2011. Named for Reginald C. Harmon, the award recipient is selected based on training accomplishments or contribution to mission support, exhibition of leadership in the military or civilian community, and enrollment in off-duty programs of professional self-improvement.

    Arizona JAG wins award

    An Arizona Airman was recently named as the Air Mobility Command's Outstanding Air Reserve Component Judge Advocate of the Year.Maj. Neal Rodak, 161st Air Refueling Wing assistant judge advocate, was recognized as the command's most outstanding reserve judge advocate for 2011. Named for Reginald C. Harmon, the award recipient is selected based on
  • Airmen from the 161st Air Refueling Wing put A-Bags into cargo pallets April 14, 2012 at Phoenix Sky Harbor Air National Guard Base. A-Bags are filled with supplies such as sleeping bags, medical supplies and chemical gear.(Photo by Senior Airman Rashaunda Williams/Released)

    161 LRS Prepares for ORI

    The 161st Logistics Readiness Squadron played a critical role in preparation for the upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection by simulating a personnel deployment function line during April's UTA.The PDF line ensures every servicemember sent out the door is fully prepared to support operations downrange. This is done by making certain Airmen are
  • Capt. Marilyn Koon (left), the first female pilot in the Air National Guard, also led the first Air Guard all-female refueling mission in 1984. Her team included (from left) Capt. Carolyn Donohoe, 2nd lt. Janice McBreen, 2nd Lt. Gabrielle Thorp, Staff Sgt. Sharon Johnson and Airman 1st Class Patricia Bourdlais. (Courtesy Photo)

    161st Air Refueling Wing Legacy - Women's History Month

  • Mr. Eric Landau plays the national anthem during a memorial ceremony dedicating a KC-135 Stratotanker tail and plaque March 13, 2012, at the 161st Air Refueling Wing, Phoenix. The memorial ceremony marked the 30th anniversary when four 161st Air Refueling Group servicemembers lost their lives while on-duty. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Matkin/Released)

    161 ARW Remembers Fallen Servicemembers

    A KC-135 Stratotanker tail and adjoining plaque was dedicated during a memorial ceremony March 13, 2012, at the 161st Air Refueling Wing, Phoenix. The memorial ceremony marked the 30th anniversary when four 161st Air Refueling Group servicemembers lost their lives while on-duty. In 1982, a KC-135 Stratotanker, call sign Copper 5 and tail number
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