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Welcome to the Spring 2021 Edition of the Beacon! As you may be aware, we’ve transitioned to a quarterly cycle while balancing more of our communications through the “124th in 124,” and the “124 FW BRRRT.” I am excited for everyone to see this edition as we highlight our heritage along with our most recent accomplish- ments across the IDANG. On the 24th of May, we celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the 190th Fighter Squadron, most notably as we revealed our new heritage aircraft, tail 618. It truly was a great opportunity to pause and reflect, not only on our earliest beginnings but also how far we’ve come. Two days later, on the 26th we honored Memorial Day with a ceremony at the Gowen Field Memorial Park where your Fighter Wing Command Chief, Chief Tritle, was guest speaker. Those two events were a great reminder of how important it is to stay connected to our heritage and our contribution to the history of our nation and state. In so many ways, this edition of the Beacon reflects the importance of what we accomplish each and every day. Make no mistake, the actions and accomplishments of our Airmen, today, are inextricably linked to our past and our future. We honor our past by continuing to answer our nation’s and state’s call. I can think of no better example of answering the call than the past 18 months, over which we mobilized in excess of 400 Airmen for our federal mission and 100s of Airmen for our state and homeland mission. These acts of service and patriotism are the latest chapter in our 75-year history. When we talk about being a part of something, serving a cause that’s bigger than ourselves, a big part of what we’re talking about is our heritage. We have an obligation to live up to the legacy of excellence that has coursed through our 75-year history. In honoring and living up to our past, we protect our future. As we publish this edition, we await decisions from Congress regarding the future of the A-10 in our Air Force. Idaho, along with our three ANG partner A-10 states (MI, IN, and MD) have come together to publically state that we support a decrement in the total number of A-10s from 281 to 218. This statement of alle- giance with the Air Force’s future capabilities roadmap is grounded in ensuring we maintain a fleet of A-10s that is both mighty (modernized), safe to fly (sustained), and honors the true challenges we face as a nation in addressing a near-peer adversary. When divestment of aircraft is considered, the obvious concern shifts to future mission opportunity. This is an emotional event for all guardsmen, as we are fundamentally tied to the mission we have in our state. The Idaho Air National Guard and the 124th Fighter Wing are highly competitive for future fighter mission opportunities. While past F-35 basing decisions have not favored Idaho for near-term basing, the process has highlighted Gowen Field as a top location, objectively speaking. We are blessed with an expansive installation–actively being modernized, access to world-class airspace with unique high-end range capabilities (266 RANS!), a near-peer partner in MHAFB, and ever expanding joint mis- sion possibilities with our IDARNG brothers and sisters, and the Orchard Combat Training Center. Subjectively speaking, it is our heritage of proven performance that endures today, our close ties to the citi- zens of this valley and across this state and our recruiting and retention resilience that make us ‘the first choice’ for future missions. Enjoy this Beacon, a testament to our beginnings and our stake on the future. Thank you for your service, honoring our past and preserving our future. ATTACK! Col. Smith

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Don’t Try to Pitch a Perfect Game In baseball a perfect game is defined as one in which a pitcher will face 27 batters up, 27 batters down. No hits, no walks, nobody reaching on an error. A flawless performance. Over 220,000 games have been played in Major League Baseball covering a span of 150 years. In all of those games, perfection has been achieved just 23 times. When I interviewed to become your Wing Command Chief, I sat before a panel that included our Wing leadership team and the State Command Sergeant Major. They thoughtfully asked what some of my goals would be should I be selected for the position. I responded that one goal would be to establish a deeper culture of customer service within the wing. I wasn’t necessarily ready to outline the plan in detail when I was asked, “what does that mean?” Here is the answer, albeit maybe a year late. . . Every Airman in this wing has a customer. Think about it, no matter where your work center is, you have a customer for whom you serve. You might supply material, give information as a subject matter expert, or provide medical support to ensure readiness. Regardless of AFSC, someone relies on each of us in one way or another. So how do we best serve our customers? A Major League pitcher does not take the mound in the first inning seeking to pitch a perfect game. In fact, most pitchers simply wish to throw a strike with each pitch. Each time they wind up and fire, they are looking to win that one single transaction. If they can win more transactions than they lose, they stand to win the game. Don’t strive for perfection, but do your best to get it right in the moment. With every customer interaction, I encourage focus on throwing a strike. It might require a few extra minutes of time (maybe even occasional overtime), it might require attention that was already set aside for another task, it might require flexibly within a process, or maybe it doesn’t require any of the above and we simply look to get it right the first time. Whatever the situation, do your best to throw the strike! I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that a perfect game is more than a pitcher having a good day. If there are no hits, it’s because each ground ball or pop fly was fielded successfully. The catcher has to call each pitch right to keep batters guessing, it’s a team effort. Commanders must ensure their flights and squadrons are equipped with the right resources, superintendents must make sure Airmen are developed commensurate to their levels of responsibility, supervisors must set the tone for service within their work centers and if done right, Airmen will be set up to successfully provide the services the wing needs. Will we record a perfect game? Probably not, but keep throwing strikes and we’ll surely win each day! ATTACK! Chief Tritle The Beacon | Spring 2021 4 COMBAT EXCELLENCE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS SPRING 2021

2 COMMANDER'S LETTER 14 HAWGSMOKE 2021 CHAMPS

3 COMMAND CHIEF'S LETTER 15 VMA VISITS IDAHO

6 RANS RIBBON CUTTING 16 190TH DROPS LIVES AT OCTC

7 SFS HELPS WWII VETERAN 18 ASOS' LAND NAV TRAINING

8 HERITAGE UNVEILING 20 SPUDSMOKE 2021

102 DENIM DAY AT THE IDANG 22 GOWEN FIRE DPT TRAINING

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124TH FIGHTER WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF

WING COMMANDER Col. Shannon Smith

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER Capt. Rebecca Solosabal

PUBLIC AFFAIRS SUPERINTENDENT Senior Master Sgt. Joshua Allmaras

PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF Staff Sgt. Mercedee Wilds Senior Airman Joseph Morgan Mr. Ryan White

WHERE TO FIND US ON THE COVER:

124THFIGHTERWING.ANG.AF.MIL

FACEBOOK.COM/124FW

INSTAGRAM.COM/124FIGHTERWING

FLICKR.COM/124FW

10 TWITTER.COM/124FIGHTERWING WWII HERITAGE A-10 pg. 10

THE BEACON is the official magazine of the 124th Fighter Wing, Idaho Air National Guard. It is published quarterly by the wing public affairs office. Views expressed may not be those of the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, Department of Defense or U.S. Government.

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Brig. Gen. Tim Donnellan, assistant adjutant general-air, and Chief Kelly Bongiovi, state command chief of the Idaho Air National Guard, visit the 266th Range Squadron to participate in a ribbon cutting of the RANS new Persistent Cyber Training Environment, March 31, 2021, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The 266th RANS supports the DoD with world-class threat emitter training and air battle management.

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We owe him everything we’ve got... and then some.

124th Security Forces Squadron defenders went above their daily requirements. To this group of 124th SFS and beyond to assist a 96-year-old World War II vet- members, it was an honor to help Brand and learn eran. about his service to our country.

Retired Capt. William Brand was a P-47 Thunderbolt “Helping a veteran isn’t in our book for normal tasks, but pilot with the in Okinawa, Japan, dur- it’s a sense of honor to help someone like that, who not ing WWII. He now lives in Hailey, Idaho, but regularly only served our country but spent time in a war that we travels to Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho to stay at the are still benefiting from,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Finer, on-base lodging on days that appointments at the Boise a 124th SFS member. VA Medical Center. Finer and the other defenders who helped Brand felt On May 6, 2021, 124th SFS defenders received an providing help and assistance to him, a brother in arms emergency call to the Gowen Field Lodging Facility. who dedicated so much of his life to protecting our As Brand was checking in for a routine stay at the country, was the least they could do. Gowen Field Lodging Facility he experienced a medical emergency, which left this WWII veteran with special “It’s an honor to be able to hear the stories from the requirements and a limited ability to properly care for direct mouth of someone who has experienced it,” said himself and coordinate his VA appointments. Finer, “my personal feelings are that we owe him every- thing we’ve got and then some.” 124th SFS defenders took it upon themselves to orga- nize hourly shifts to check on the well-being of Brand, which included assisting with tasks of daily-living, providing essential needs and helping to coordinate with the VA for medical attention.

The defenders took on the role of dedicated care- givers, going beyond their typical duty and surpassing

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The WWII Heritage A-10 Thunderbolt II traveled home to Gowen Field, Idaho, May 12, 2021 from the National Guard Paint Facility in Sioux City, Iowa.

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If you don’t know where you’ve been, how do you know where you’re going?

The 124th Fighter Wing unveiled a specially Squadron, would find themselves heavily painted heritage A-10 Thunderbolt II during a involved in the Allied air campaign. This included 75th anniversary ceremony at Gowen Field, being involved in the D-Day invasion at Omaha Boise, Idaho, May 24, 2021. and Utah Beaches, forward deploying to support Allied ground forces, and being one of the keys The aircraft is painted to pay homage to its to the survival of “The Lost Battalion” in the lineage from the 405th Fighter Squadron and to Vosges Mountains of France. One of the distinc- remember the 190th Fighter Squadron’s birthday, tive accomplishments of the 405th was their May 24, 1946. direct support of Gen. Patton’s breakthrough on the Rhine River which earned them a Distin- “Painting this Hog in the markings of our World guished Unit Citation said Capt. Andrew Hassell, War II P-47’s is a statement: we value our a pilot with the 190th Fighter Squadron, during heritage, and honoring the achievements and his speech at the ceremony. sacrifices made by the men of the 405th Fighter Squadron is not only important, it’s our duty,” Many lessons were learned from the war. said Maj. Tom Silkowski, a pilot from the 190th Fighter Squadron. “It’s more than just history– it’s our heritage, During World War II, the 405th FS was key to it’s who we are.” the success of the Allied forces.

The 405th FS was activated July 15, 1943, and “One of the great lessons learned then from was armed with the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. World War II is that we needed a more robust During the war and its 14-month activation, the air reserve capability, ready at the drop of a hat 405th FS, commonly referred to as Discharge to support the active-duty forces should conflict come,” said Mr. Terrence G. Popravak, Jr., an aviation and history consultant. “That concept was implemented in 1946 when a number of former active-duty Army Air Corps units were redesignated and allotted to different states to help build up the Air National Guard, to provide that robust air reserve component to help the active-duty forces.”

Knowing our history is critical to our future suc- cess.

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“History is important to remember because if you don’t know where you’ve been, how do you know where you’re going,” Popravak asked.

The past ties us all together and it can define who we are as a wing.

“It’s more than just history – it’s our heritage, it’s who we are,” said Silkowski. “Renumber- ing the 405th Fighter Squadron to the 190th Fighter Squadron was a thoughtful act made with deliberate intent: this squadron’s achievements and sacrifices are now your achievements and sacrifices – remember them, strive to measure up to them and, most importantly, make the men of the 405th proud every day.”

This is why the aircraft was painted the way it is, to remember and honor the 405th FS and the wing’s heritage.

“Every aspect of that paint job, down to the smallest detail, is deliberate and faithful to how our P-47’s looked in the summer of 1944,” said Silkowski. “We weren’t going for glitz and a superficial ‘wow factor.’ This isn’t a toy airplane; it’s one of our beautiful A-10 Having an aircraft painted in honor of the wing’s Thunderbolt II’s dressed in the same scheme heritage is special and has deeper meaning than worn by our P-47 Thunderbolts in World just a new paint job. War II. It’s like a little boy wearing his dad’s “This newly painted aircraft is not only a vivid re- military uniform. I think that’s what makes it minder of our earliest beginnings, but a symbol of so special.” so many Idaho Citizen Airmen that have humbly

The Beacon | Spring 2021 ALWAYS ON MISSION 11 and courageously served our nation and state Burley from the 124th’s structural shop provided for so many years,” said Col. Shannon Smith, the key attention to detail, a creative eye and the 124th Fighter Wing commander. “With fewer and follow-through to see this project to its comple- fewer Americans serving in our armed services, tion,” said Silkowski. it is more important than ever that we remember The wing is not the only ones who will get to the sacrifices of those who have gone before and enjoy this newly painted aircraft. those serving today. 2020 and 2021 have been stark reminders of how valuable our National “We’re very excited to share this aircraft with our Guard continues to be, to both our federal warf- community, and the families of our guardsmen,” ighting mission and our guardian mission here in said Smith. “From our beginnings, we have the homeland.” relied on the selfless sacrifice of loved ones and the employers of our guardsmen, as we have Smith added, “Guardsmen of today should be repeatedly answered the call to action from intimately familiar with our beginnings and our our nation and state. This beautiful aircraft is a heritage. It is this very heritage that we measure chance for the Idaho Air National Guard to offer ourselves against everyday as we carry out our mission; and it is this very heritage that we build upon that rightfully secures the Idaho Air National Guard’s place in history, now and for the foresee- “It is this very heritage able future.” that we measure “As with most projects, many people have a hand ourselves against in its success. This is no different. The Air Na- everyday as we carry tional Guard Paint Facility in Sioux City provided the professional paint job, Mr. Popravak, Jr. dug out our mission.” into the history of the 405th, and Staff Sgt. Mitch

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IDANG Participated in Denim Day! but what is it and why is it important?

The Denim Day story begins in Italy that because the victim was wearing in 1992, when an 18-year old girl very tight jeans, she had to help him was raped by the 45-year old driving remove them, and by removing the instructor who was taking her to her jeans it was not rape but consensual very first driving lesson. He took her to sex. This became known throughout an isolated road, pulled her out of the Italy as the “jeans alibi.” car, removed her jeans and forcefully Enraged by the verdict, the women raped her. in the Italian Parliament launched a She reported the rape and the perpe- protest wearing jeans on the steps of trator was arrested and prosecuted. the Supreme Court. He was then convicted of rape and Participating in Denim Day pro- sentenced to jail. Years later, he ap- vides an opportunity for all people pealed the conviction, claiming that to show solidarity with survivors they had consensual sex. The Italian of abuse around the country and Supreme Court overturned the convic- to encourage open discussion tion and the perpetrator was released. about how we can work to reduce A statement from the Court argued violence in our communities.

Information from https://www.denimdayinfo.org/about

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NOW AVAILABLE: Mastering Emotional Intelligence Training

Mastering Emotional Intelligence training is now available to Airmen of the 124th Fighter Wing. This new training program teaches Airmen how to develop emotional intelligence. This helps them to communicate more effectively, better handle stress and conflict, work better as part of a team, navigate change, and perform at a peak level.

Senior Master Sgt. Mindi Anderson, the human resource advisor for the 124th FW, is certified as an instructor and runs the Mastering Emotional Intelligence courses for the wing.

“I’ve been on an emotional intelligence journey for the last couple of years, since I started teaching it,” says Anderson, “and I’ve really learned a lot of things about how impactful it can be to implement strategies that we provide and practice them over time.”

Emotional intelligence strategies are taught in two Anderson. “I’ve trained my mind with strategies to arrive types of courses–an eight-hour course open to Tech at a balanced mindset quicker, versus letting emotions Sgt., Master Sgt., 2nd Lt. and 1st Lt. There is also a flood me and then not really channeling them or han- shortened two-hour course developed for teams across dling them appropriately.” the base. Individuals interested in the eight-hour course should The eight-hour course begins with an emotional intel- inquire with their chief master sgt. or commander to let ligence assessment, followed by self-reflection of the them know that they want to attend the next emotional assessment results and instruction to better understand intelligence course. Those courses occur about once and become more aware of what emotional intelligence per quarter and are open to all full-time and drill status is. The last half of the day concentrates on students Guardsmen. choosing strategies which they believe will improve their emotional intelligence over the next six months. Two-hour courses also focus on developing strategies Students take a re-assessment at the end of the six- for managing emotions but are tailored to the requesting month period to see how their emotional intelligence organization’s needs. These courses for an organiza- has improved. tion can be requested at any time by contacting Senior Master Sgt. Mindi Anderson at 422-5810 or mindi. “I don’t even have to think about managing my emo- [email protected] tions now because I’m able to do it automatically,” says

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Idaho sweeps top honors during Hawgsmoke 2021

The 124th Fighter Wing’s 190th Fighter Squadron was recognized as the top pilot team at Hawgsmoke 2021, a biannual A-10 Thunderbolt II competition, with this year’s event being held at Moody Air Force Base, Geor- gia, from April 14-17, 2021.

The 190th Fighter Squadron won all three team awards: overall champion, top bombing team and top tactical team. The overall win is the squadron’s third win since “We did three events,” said Cobb. “They take all the 2003. scores and then factor any errors into the scores. We pretty much destroyed and killed all the events.” More than 150 pilots, maintainers and weapon teams from 13 Air Force units across the globe and all Air The win showcases the team effort it takes to maintain Force components competed in the event, hosted by combat readiness. the 23rd Fighter Group. “I’m incredibly proud of our Hawgsmoke Champions,” “It feels wonderful to be able to lead a great team to vic- said Col. Shannon Smith, the 124th Fighter Wing tory,” said Lt. Col. Jason Cobb, a 190th Fighter Squad- commander. “I’m especially proud of the fact that they ron pilot. “To be able to win Hawgsmoke, amongst the swept every team award. So much of how we fight is fierce competition, is pretty surreal and words cannot grounded in teamwork, mutual support and being a express what this means to us as a team.” solid wingman. Winning this world-wide competition is great validation of the amazing efforts of all of our Air- To keep the competition unique and challenging, the men in the 124th Fighter Wing in ensuring our enduring events are kept secret until just before takeoff. combat readiness.”

“You don’t know what the events are until about 10 min- The winning team traditionally hosts the next competi- utes before takeoff,” said Cobb. “They might give you a tion. The Idaho National Guard could host the event at general idea of what to prepare for, but you never know Gowen Field in 2022 or 2023. until you are sitting in the cockpit.” “We look forward to hosting the next Hawgsmoke in The events included a variety of challenges to test Boise,” Smith said before exclaiming a triumphant, pilots’ skillsets. “ATTACK!”

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AV-8B Harrier’s assigned to the Marine Attack Squadron 223 stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, visit Gowen Field, Idaho, while participating in training with the 190th Fighter Squadron’s A-10 Thunderbolt II’s, April 7, 2021. This joint training exposed Idaho pilots to scenarios beyond their normal Close Air Support training and provide a unique experience to enhance their joint operations capabilities.

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IDANG Airmen make historic live drops at OCTC

A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots from the 190th Fighter Squadron and special warfare tactical air control party Airmen from the 124th Air Support Opera- tions Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard made history when they dropped live 500-pound Mark 82, low-drag bombs from A-10 Thunderbolt IIs operations with the 190th FS. “This opens up the in the Orchard Combat Training Center, south of doors between us and the other local units, and Boise, Idaho, May 18-19, 2021. hopefully we can do it more down the road.” The live drops were part of a joint fire exercise “We have never dropped live ordinance at the with the 2nd of the 116th Combined Arms Bat- OCTC in the history of the Idaho Air National talion, Idaho from Gowen Guard,” said Lt. Col. Mike Hampton, director of Field. The exercise replicated a real-world sce- nario where constant fire is needed to suppress the enemy.

“It’s significant for us to train in the joint warfare environment where we get synergistic effects on the target, utilizing field artillery and aircraft and put the maximum firepower on the target to allow friendly units to maneuver, establish a strong point or take an objective,” said Capt. Jason Waits, an air liaison officer with the 124th ASOS. “All of those things are designed for us to push the fight away from our soldiers and allow them to safely get into a position to defend themselves or the population that we’re trying to protect.”

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Special warfare tactical air control party Airmen from the 124th Air Support Operations Squadron, 124th Fighter Wing, participate in a field training exercise in Prairie, Idaho, June 3-6, 2021. The members were split into teams and were required to travel by foot though mountainous terrain to five different coordinates that led them to a rappelling site, rope bridge, tactical operations center, medical station with simulated man-down scenario, and a mobile communication suite on a hill- side. The training also consisted of MRZR and motorcyle training.

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Multiple rescue squadrons peel out to Idaho for Spud-tacular training

Members from 11 rescue squadrons flocked to “You can create pretty dynamic real-world-like Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, in their HH-60 Pave environments with the pop-up targets and we’re Hawk’s to participate in Spud Smoke 21, an ex- able to tell how effective our shooting is,” said ercise that focuses on the weapons employment Capt. Roy Taylor, a HH-60 Pave Hawk Pilot with fundamentals and dynamic threat environments, the 55 RQS at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. March 8-28, 2021. The Idaho weather was also a factor in the The participating squadrons included the intense training environment of the OCTC, giving 55th Rescue Squadron, 79 RQS, 655th Air these warmer-climate squadrons experience fac- Maintenance Squadron and the 563 Operations ing acclimate weather. Support Squadron from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, 66 RQS, Seal Team 7, 58 RQS, “The training is second to none out here,” said 34th Weapons Squadron and 855 AMXS from Shaffer. Nellis Air Force Base, 512 RQS from Kirtland Air Force Base and the 14th Air Support Operations Squadron from Pope Field.

“Our main focus is terminal deployment and how to analyze a threat in a terminal area,.” said Capt. Forest Shaffer, a HH-60 Pave Hawk Pilot with the 55 RQS at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. “We analyze the treats around the survivor and use our techniques to suppress those threats, so we can safely get into the terminal area and pick up our survivor quickly, efficiently and safely.”

Gowen Field is a short 10-minute helicopter flight to the Orchard Combat Training Center, which gives the visiting units quick and efficient access to training opportunities and complex scenarios that they wouldn’t see at their home stations. The technology that is provided by the OCTC, which includes pop-up and moving targets offers a more realistic and dynamic training opportunity.

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The heat is on! IDANG Firefighters participate in specialized training

Thirty Airmen from the 124th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Gowen Field Fire Department trained in two specialized burn trailers for over 80 live interior fires from Jun 2-12, 2021, Boise, Idaho.

“The goal of the training is to build confidence with the members gear and equipment in a high heat environ- ment,” said Staff Sgt. Reginald Pierce III, B-shift captain with the Gowen Field Fire Department. “Unlike smoke machines, and lights, this is real fire. You can’t always put it out right off the bat. We have some safety features but it’s still high heat and without proper protective equipment it could be fatal.”

One trailer is set up to burn at high heat until it becomes a flashover, reaching over 900 degrees in the burn Airmen typically train by doing career development chamber. The other trailer is set up like a basement courses or computer-based training, but Pierce said apartment where they can put out a stove fire or a without this type of training, many Airmen wouldn’t have bedroom fire. This is the first year they have been able an opportunity to see how fire grows, develops and to do both training trailers at the same time. learn how to identify the different stages of fire growth in a controlled training environment. The training experi- ence helps firefighters make the appropriate strategic and tactical attack calls when in a real-world situation.

“When Airmen complete this training, they say ‘I learned something, I took something home, I actually got to do my job for the day,’” said Pierce. “It builds camaraderie and morale. Our guys are able to bond by doing these repetitions with their group and they’re going to remem- ber this training for the rest of their career.”

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Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., the 22nd Chief of Staff of the Air Force, is greeted by senior leaders from the Idaho National Guard during a visit to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Mountain Home, Idaho, March 30, 2021. Brown met with the leadership team to listen and discuss emergent issues facing the Idaho Air National Guard. During the visit Brown recognized Staff Sgt. Tucker B. Hite, a ground radar systems journeyman with the 266th Range Squadron, a tenant unit on Mountain Home Air Force Base, for all his work with the ground-based emitters at the RANS.

The Beacon | Spring 2021 S P E C I A L M E N T I O N CONGRATS 2020 OAY WINNERS

A I R M A N O F T H E Y E A R - A 1 C W E N D T N C O O F T H E Y E A R - T S G T A T K I N S S N C O O F T H E Y E A R - S M S G T H O L M G R E N S H I R T O F T H E Y E A R - M S G T S T E I N E R C G O O F T H E Y E A R - 1 S T L T P A T T E N

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