On the Cover: Col. Kerry M. Gentry, 177th Fighter Wing Commander, takes off in his F-16C Fighting Falcon for the last time on March 8, 2015. Gentry retired with 28 years of service to the Air Force and Air National Guard, and over 3,000 flight hours. ANG/Airman 1st Class Amber Powell MARCH 2015, VOL. 49 NO. 3 THE CONTRAIL STAFF 177TH FW COMMANDER COL . KERRY M. GENTRY PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER CAPT. AMANDA BATIZ PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER MASTER SGT. ANDREW J. MOSELEY PHOTOJOURNALIST TECH. SGT. ANDREW J. MERLOCK PHOTOJOURNALIST SENIOR AIRMAN SHANE S. KARP PHOTOJOURNALIST AIRMAN 1st CLASS AMBER POWELL EDITOR/BROADCAST JOURNALIST TECH. SGT. MATT HECHT AVIATION HISTORIAN DR. RICHARD PORCELLI WWW.177FW.ANG.AF.MIL This funded newspaper is an authorized monthly publication for members of the U.S. Military Services. 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Gentry, 177th Fighter Wing Commander Jersey Devils, When I look at the 177 FW, I have come to sider the ever-increasing operations tempo home, I don’t have the support of the best know our Airmen as incredibly resilient, adapt- and constantly receding budgets we have Airmen in the world, and therefore we wouldn’t By the time this letter is published I will be able, tenacious, mission oriented, and most faced, and will surely continue to face for the have the best Wing in the Air Force”. wrapping up the backside of an incredibly importantly devoted to our State’s and Na- foreseeable future. The incredible devotion humbling Command experience that allowed As my family and I move into the “next chapter” tion’s cause. When you have the privilege of displayed by our Airmen day-in, and day-out is me to be your biggest advocate and cheerlead- of our life, I leave this honorable service with the sitting in the Wing Commanders seat, you can’t nothing short of astonishing to me. 20 years er for the past three years. On behalf of my utmost confidence that the men, women, and help but see things from a slightly different ago If you had asked me to predict what the family and myself, I would like to say thank you families of the 177 FW, under the exemplary perspective than in previous positions. With a resultant morale and retention statistics would to all of the men and women of the 177 FW for Command of Col DiDonna, will continue this tra- more “complete” view of the Wing, what I show after subjecting our Airmen and their your dedication and sacrifice that you demon- dition of excellence and unparalleled devotion have observed and come to respect and ad- families to this tempo, I would have told you strate each and every day. It has been an in- that is our legacy. Those that have gone before mire most about our Wing, and the Air Nation- we would be in a dire situation as people bolt- credible honor to have served with you over us would expect nothing less. So as I head out al Guard for that matter, is how incredibly de- ed from the Guard at their first opportunity. I these past 13 years of my time here in the 177 the main gate this weekend for the last time as voted our folks are. Since I was a brand new couldn’t have been more wrong! In reality, the FW. As I prepare for the “Next chapter” in my an active member of the 177 FW I will, more Lt. in the late 80’s until today, we have been an exact opposite has occurred. What I had failed life, I can’t help but reflect on what it has than ever before, appreciate the Wings mantra Air Force at war. This constant state of conflict to recognize, until this Command, was the level meant to serve my country with some of the of “Once a Devil, Always a Devil”. has driven countless challenges to our Air Na- of commitment our Airmen and their families finest individuals in the world…the men and tional Guard, our Wing, our Airmen, and our have for the Wing, State, and Country. Instead women of the 177 FW. And yes, I am getting Families. Over the past three decades we have of recruiting and retention rates trending sentimental…I will truly miss this place and the Proud to have served, gone through multiple conversions, deployed downward, surprisingly they remain consist- people whom I have served with. Col. Kerry M. Gentry repeatedly to the Combat AOR, successfully ently strong across the board. To me, the only negotiated countless inspections, and even plausible explanation is the unwavering devo- Wing Commander handled a few state emergencies thrown in tion of our Airmen and the support they re- 177th Fighter Wing lest we get bored! This has proved to be an ceive from their families. As I have said many incredible challenge, especially when you con- times before, “Without the family support at “On behalf of my family and myself, I would like to say thank you to all of the men and women of the 177 FW for your dedication and sacrifice that you demonstrate each and every day.” 177thFW CHANGE OF COMMAND Story by Senior Airman Shane S. Karp, 177th FW/PA Col. John R. DiDonna, center, accepts command of the 177th Fighter Wing from Brig. Gen. Robert C. Bolton, left, commander of the New Jersey Air National Guard, while Col. Kerry M. Gentry, right, looks on here on March 8. ANG/Senior Airman Shane S. Karp embers of the 177th Fighter Wing Some of those in attendance at the ceremony since 2002,” Gentry said to DiDonna, “I’ve gathered in the main hangar to were local elected representatives, military seen what you can do, I know what you can M take part in a change of command dignitaries from the Army, Coast Guard, and do … you won’t even feel the rudder shift ceremony here on March 8. Air Force, family members, Airmen of the when the flight controls get handed over to 177th Fighter Wing, and three most recent you.” The event symbolized the passing of the generations of 177th Fighter Wing command- torch from Col. Kerry M. Gentry, 177th Fight- The confidence in the new commander’s abil- ers. er Wing commander since March 2012, to the ity to lead was also shared by Bolton. new commander of the 177th Fighter Wing, “If you look up the definition of leadership, “Col. DiDonna is going to learn from Col. Col. John R. DiDonna, Jr., who served as vice warrior, professionalism, family man … it’s Gentry’s experience and raise this wing to commander of the 177thFW since March Col. Gentry,” said Brig. Gen. Robert C. Bol- another level,” said Bolton. 2013. ton, current commander of the New Jersey DiDonna closed by saying, “It’s a tremendous Air National Guard and former 177th Fighter The ceremony signifies the end of an illustri- privilege to stand here before you, and serve Wing commander. ous Air Force career for Gentry, who served with you, and I will do my very best each and since 1987 and accumulated more than 3,000 DiDonna, who joined the 177FW in March of every day to serve you admirably, and with flight hours in the F-16 Fighting Falcon, in- 2003, had previously served as 119th Fighter honor.” cluding five combat deployments. Squadron commander, 177FW Operations Group commander, and 177FW vice com- “What a phenomenal three years,” said Gen- mander before taking over as wing command- try of his time as commander. “I’m proud to er. have served with you; I’m proud to have served for you.” “I’ve had the pleasure of serving with you Left: Col. Kerry M. Gentry, 177thFW commander, speaks prior to relinquishing command. Center: Col. John R. DiDonna speaks to the crowd after becoming the new commander of the 177FW. Right: Col. Kerry M. Gentry renders his final salute to the men and women of the 177th Fighter Wing, as he retires from the New Jersey Air National Guard. ANG/Senior Airman Shane S. Karp A local youth advisory council poses for a group photo in front of the 177th Fighter Wing Headquarters building on March 7 ANG/ Youth Advisory Council meets Tech. Sgt. Andrew Merlock, Jr. at 177th Fighter Wing Story by Tech. Sgt. Andrew Merlock, Jr, 177th FW/PA “For them to understand that this is their country and they’re giving up Saturday on a regular basis to do things like this, they’re a cut above.” local youth advisory council met here on In addition to meeting with the congressman, the council members of the council with an opportunity to operate March 7 to discuss current events and issues received a base tour to learn about the 177th Fighter the flight simulator, a component utilized by fighter pi- in the United States with a member of Con- Wing’s mission and capabilities.