PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Welcome to Summer and our July Wing Association Presidents’ message. Since our last letter in April, many things have occurred at the wing. We are still getting a great response from our last President’s message. I want to thank all who were involved, through their tremendous work efforts, caring and devotion that continues to make our association the best in the Air Guard.
Our previous newsletter had many suggestions from our members. The wing has had many challenges these last few months; you will read about them throughout this informative letter. Your requests and concerns have been heard. Please continue to provide input, so we can keep you informed of the wing and Wing Association’s activities.
The wing has been very involved with many different operations, including firefighting operations training, Readiness inspection and training requirements, and new simulator building construction, just to name a few.
I want to thank the members and leadership for the dedication and professionalism that they have demonstrated during these busy times. As you look through these articles, you will read about the wing and its members doing their best to represent and uphold the highest standards. Thank you, and your professionalism and service are greatly admired and honored.
After a long and busy first half of the year, the wing is finally getting some down time. This has put the association into a re-evaluation of our future goals. Topics included College Scholarships, Casino Night, the Wing Christmas party, and a few other events providing no changes occur.
As of right now, the only thing that I can tell you is that the Christmas party is still on. Unfortunately, the Laughlin reunion is on hold until at least 2024, as well as Casino Nights. We are still pressing forward with the Scholarship program for our Airman this September and the Airman of the year.
We ask that all current members please check the website for your current status, and if you are behind in dues, please make your membership current; we count on you for the association’s success. We also need your help in encouraging others, retired or active, that have not participated in the association to come and join us.
Without your support, this association cannot continue to function with this extremely high caliber of care and assistance. Your dues of $20.00 annually will continue to provide the strong support that we have provided over the years. Our association has an easy way to pay online with just a few clicks and entering the required information at: www.146thwingassociation.org.
We look forward to your involvement and participation in the functions that will be planned this year. As a service organization, and a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, we will always keep our members first and our mission to support the wing and its members a top priority.
Please drop us a quick note with your suggestions to: Rronsgard@verizon.net and/or bobk@scta.usta.com.
Your association looks forward to seeing you at one of our functions this year.
Wishing you all the best this summer and a Happy 4th of July.
Richard Onsgard
President – 146th Wing Association http://www.146thwingassociation.org
Our previous newsletter had many suggestions from our members. The wing has had many challenges these last few months; you will read about them throughout this informative letter. Your requests and concerns have been heard. Please continue to provide input, so we can keep you informed of the wing and Wing Association’s activities.
The wing has been very involved with many different operations, including firefighting operations training, Readiness inspection and training requirements, and new simulator building construction, just to name a few.
I want to thank the members and leadership for the dedication and professionalism that they have demonstrated during these busy times. As you look through these articles, you will read about the wing and its members doing their best to represent and uphold the highest standards. Thank you, and your professionalism and service are greatly admired and honored.
After a long and busy first half of the year, the wing is finally getting some down time. This has put the association into a re-evaluation of our future goals. Topics included College Scholarships, Casino Night, the Wing Christmas party, and a few other events providing no changes occur.
As of right now, the only thing that I can tell you is that the Christmas party is still on. Unfortunately, the Laughlin reunion is on hold until at least 2024, as well as Casino Nights. We are still pressing forward with the Scholarship program for our Airman this September and the Airman of the year.
We ask that all current members please check the website for your current status, and if you are behind in dues, please make your membership current; we count on you for the association’s success. We also need your help in encouraging others, retired or active, that have not participated in the association to come and join us.
Without your support, this association cannot continue to function with this extremely high caliber of care and assistance. Your dues of $20.00 annually will continue to provide the strong support that we have provided over the years. Our association has an easy way to pay online with just a few clicks and entering the required information at: www.146thwingassociation.org.
We look forward to your involvement and participation in the functions that will be planned this year. As a service organization, and a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, we will always keep our members first and our mission to support the wing and its members a top priority.
Please drop us a quick note with your suggestions to: Rronsgard@verizon.net and/or bobk@scta.usta.com.
Your association looks forward to seeing you at one of our functions this year.
Wishing you all the best this summer and a Happy 4th of July.
Richard Onsgard
President – 146th Wing Association http://www.146thwingassociation.org
Around the Wing June 2023 (News, stories, photos & more)
146th Contingency Response Flight Supports Air Defender 23
WUNSTORF, Germany - Eight members of the California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing's Contingency Response Flight deployed with the 123rd and 156th Contingency Response Groups and the 172nd Contingency Response Flight to Wunstorf, Lower Saxony, Germany, to support exercise Air Defender 2023, the largest deployment exercise in NATO's history.
Air Defender 2023 is a joint defense exercise focused on Germany's ability to command and control a multinational air force operating from German airfields.The purpose of AD23 is to demonstrate NATO's ability to protect the population and safeguard freedom and democracy.
Read more of this story on the 146th Airlift Wing's official website here.
Air Defender 2023 is a joint defense exercise focused on Germany's ability to command and control a multinational air force operating from German airfields.The purpose of AD23 is to demonstrate NATO's ability to protect the population and safeguard freedom and democracy.
Read more of this story on the 146th Airlift Wing's official website here.
Hollywood Guard maintainer receives Air Force Association award
CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION, Calif. -- California Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Giovanni Macro of the 146th Airlift Wing (146 AW) Maintenance Squadron was presented with the Chief Master Sgt. Dick Red Maintenance Effectiveness Award for his outstanding contributions to aerospace maintenance for the Air National Guard, June 3, 2023, at the Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Port Hueneme, California.
The award was presented via teleconference by Rhonda Weiss, Ph.D. on behalf of the United States Air Force Association, with 146 AW leadership, Macro’s wife, Alicia Macro, as well as several members of the 146th Maintenance Squadron in attendance.
Born to Italian immigrants and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Macro, in his early 20’s, joined the 146 AW while it was still based out of the Van Nuys airport in the Northern San Fernando Valley. He is one of the four remaining 146 AW Maintenance Squadron members still serving at the 146 AW before relocating to Port Hueneme in 1988.
Read more of this story on the 146th Airlift Wing's official website here.
The award was presented via teleconference by Rhonda Weiss, Ph.D. on behalf of the United States Air Force Association, with 146 AW leadership, Macro’s wife, Alicia Macro, as well as several members of the 146th Maintenance Squadron in attendance.
Born to Italian immigrants and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Macro, in his early 20’s, joined the 146 AW while it was still based out of the Van Nuys airport in the Northern San Fernando Valley. He is one of the four remaining 146 AW Maintenance Squadron members still serving at the 146 AW before relocating to Port Hueneme in 1988.
Read more of this story on the 146th Airlift Wing's official website here.
Contingency response Airmen exemplify MCA concept during Air Defender 23
WUNSTORF AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) -- One hundred sixty-five members of the Air National Guard's contingency response career field assigned to the 123rd and 156th Contingency Response Groups and the 172nd and 146th Contingency Response Flights deployed to Wunstorf Air Base, in support of exercise Air Defender 2023, bringing with them their versatility and expertise to ensure the exercise goes efficiently for all 10,000 participants.
Contingency response is a unique career field with numerous mission capabilities; to enter the career field, Airmen must cross-train in after gaining experience in a different job. This is necessary because of the type of contingency, humanitarian and exercise missions that CR supports.
"The primary role of contingency response is to provide base opening operations, and once that is established, we can quickly and effectively disperse cargo and personnel throughout a region," said Master Sgt. Jeff Allen, a loadmaster with the 146th CRF, California Air National Guard. "We can start ramp procedures and bring aircraft, people and supplies into any environment."
Read more of this story on the 146th Airlift Wing's official website here.
Contingency response is a unique career field with numerous mission capabilities; to enter the career field, Airmen must cross-train in after gaining experience in a different job. This is necessary because of the type of contingency, humanitarian and exercise missions that CR supports.
"The primary role of contingency response is to provide base opening operations, and once that is established, we can quickly and effectively disperse cargo and personnel throughout a region," said Master Sgt. Jeff Allen, a loadmaster with the 146th CRF, California Air National Guard. "We can start ramp procedures and bring aircraft, people and supplies into any environment."
Read more of this story on the 146th Airlift Wing's official website here.
The first in and the last out; Contingency Response Airmen help bring Exercise Air Defender 2023 participants home
WUNSTORF AIR BASE, WUNSTORF, GERMANY-- Exercise Air Defender 2023 (AD23) has come to a close; 108 members of the Air National Guard's Contingency Response (CR) career field assigned to the 123rd and 156th Contingency Response Groups and the 172nd and 146th Contingency Response Flights are helping to return over 10,000 AD23 personnel home and fly over 3.4 million pounds of cargo back to the United States.
"We're currently working on the redeployment back to the States," said 1st. Lt. Jerry Rodriguez, a logistics readiness officer with the 146th Airlift Wing. "We will bring everyone back from all the different bases here in Germany, reorganize their cargo off their C-130 aircraft, and reupload everything onto a C-17 aircraft. We'll oversee all the uploads and then send it back home."
Almost all the cargo and a considerable portion of the personnel must be processed through Wunstorf Air Base from Schleswig Air Base, Hohn Air Base, Kropp Air Base, and Lechfeld Air Base due to logistical issues landing C-17 aircraft at those installations.
Read more of this story on the 146th Airlift Wing's official website here
"We're currently working on the redeployment back to the States," said 1st. Lt. Jerry Rodriguez, a logistics readiness officer with the 146th Airlift Wing. "We will bring everyone back from all the different bases here in Germany, reorganize their cargo off their C-130 aircraft, and reupload everything onto a C-17 aircraft. We'll oversee all the uploads and then send it back home."
Almost all the cargo and a considerable portion of the personnel must be processed through Wunstorf Air Base from Schleswig Air Base, Hohn Air Base, Kropp Air Base, and Lechfeld Air Base due to logistical issues landing C-17 aircraft at those installations.
Read more of this story on the 146th Airlift Wing's official website here