446th Airlift Wing

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New record, old recruit

Airman 1st Class Francisco Vidal, personnel specialist trainee, 335th Training Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., won the Thunderbolt award Nov. 9, attending basic training at the 323rd Training Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Vidal performed 97 pushups and 85 sit ups during a physical training test, breaking the old record. Vidal will be assigned to the 446th Force Support Squadron here, upon completion of technical training in January 2012. (Courtesy photo)

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'Top Shot' marksman targets McChord Airmen

"Top Shot" season one winner, Iain Harrison will be at McChord Field, Wash., Dec. 3 for a meet and greet event and shooting demonstration.

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Military appreciation

Airmen and Soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., stand with West Pierce Fire & Rescue chief Ken Sharp at a fire commissioner meeting, Nov. 15, 2011 in Lakewood, Wash. Reservists from the 446th Airlift Wing out of McChord Field were presented with certificates of appreciation for their military service while being employed with WPFR. (Courtesy photo)

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Deployed Families Dinner

Kim Bowers, wife of Col. Bruce Bowers, 446th Airlift Wing commander, entertains a friend's child at the quarterly Deployed Families Dinner Sept. 19, 2011, at the McChord Field Chapel Support Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. More than 130 people attended the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Leah Young)

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Air Force Birthday Ball

Amn. Matthew Baisley (left to right), Chief Master Sgt. Gloria Bennett, and Maj. Gen. Darren McDew join forces to cut the cake at the Air Force Birthday Ball Sept. 17. McDew was the guest speaker and serves as commander, Air Force District of Washington, Andrews Air Force Base, Md. Baisley, 62nd Aerial Port Squadron, represents the most junior Airman in attendance, and Bennett, 446th Airlift Wing command chief, represents the most senior Airman at the Air Force Ball held in Hangars 3 and 4, McChord Field, Wash. More than 40 Reservists attended this year's ball, double the previous year. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt. Jennifer Bargiel)

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Commisary On-site Sales

Commissary on-site sales are held to bring the savings benefits of the commissary to Guard and Reserve personnel, as well as military retirees and other beneficiaries. (Courtesy graphic)

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Col. Seaholm Retirement

MCCHORD FIELD, Wash., - Col. Lane Seaholm, right, retired from the 446th Airlift Wing, Air Force Reserve, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, McChord Field Sept. 10 after 25 years of service. "It has been the greatest pleasure of my life to have had the honor of serving with you," said Seaholm. Seaholm's longtime friend and the presiding officer, retired Col. Eric Newhouse, presented him with his certificate of appreciation. Seaholm and Newhouse have known each other since they served together in the 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. Seaholm will continue his civilian career as a First Officer for Alaska Airlines, and spend quality time with his wife and children in Tacoma, Wash. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Denise Hauser)

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Staff Sgt. Houston Simpson, 86th APS

Sept. 11, was the beginning of my ninth-grade year in high school. Before that, I had never truly considered joining the military or had a desire to serve my country in such a manner. After that day, I began to feel a little different. As the days after Sept. 11 began to pass, I started thinking about how I could contribute to my country. In ninth grade, I felt as though there was little I could do in this regard, but I began to look for different avenues I could take in my life to benefit not only myself, but the lives of my family, friends and the prosperity of my country. I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. I wanted to be a piece of one the world's largest mosaics, I wanted to give back to my country, a country that had given so much to me. I have chosen to serve the people of this country to up-hold and "defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic." because I believe that our country is great. Shortly after graduating from high school, I spoke with a Coast Guard Reserve recruiter, because the events of Sept. 11 opened my eyes to the injustices of our world, to some of the many wrongs of our time and it opened my eyes to the sword and shield that protects our great country and its citizens. The United States military. I recently transferred to the Air Force Reserve after serving with the U.S. Coast Guard. (Courtesy photo)

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Staff. Sgt. Andrea Barrow, 446th FSS

I was working as a dental assistant when Sept. 11 happened and I knew nothing about the military at the time. One of my coworkers, SSgt Heidi Hancock, had already been a Reservist. Watching her prepare herself to support the mission was amazing. I wanted to be a part of that and I felt my country needed me. I was the first person in my family to join the military and when I swore into the Reserve in July 2003, I knew it was an honor. My unit's wartime mission (mortuary affairs) was also a highlight for me as I recently completed my first six-month deployment to the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operation center, Dover AFB, Del. earlier this year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jake Chappelle)

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Tech. Sgt. Tom Raynor, 446th AMXS

I remember when it happened very clearly. I was on a business trip working for a retail company and was stranded due to the grounding of all aircraft. I had previously served ten years on active duty during the "cold war" era. After Sept/ 11, I considered rejoining the Air Force. I felt a sense of "unfinished business" and after looking into my options, I decided that the Air Force Reserve was my best bet. I joined as an integrated avionics technician and now work on C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. My renewed commitment led to fulltime service with deployments to Kyrgyzstan and Iraq, as well as trips to many other parts of the world to work. I can honestly say this was the best decision of my life and has led me to a higher level of satisfaction overall. (Courtesy photo)

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Tech. Sgt. Tereza Addington, 446th ASTS

It was a typical fall day as I drove to work with my husband when we heard the tragic news on the radio. I had this overwhelming desire to re-enlist after that. Not only was it my birthday but I am originally from the East Coast. I had family that survived Sept. 11. I had a step sister that decided to go on vacation at the last minute and her apartment was right near the twin towers. My step dad had a cousin who worked in the twin towers but called in sick that day. I knew that as an LPN I could be of some good in the Army, so I finally joined. I was assigned to the 396th Combat support hospital at Fort Vancouver barracks in Vancouver, Washington. January 2003 was my first drill and we were told that day that we will not be here by next drill and we were not. I was activated for up to two years for the fight on terrorism. I felt a sense of pride of wearing the uniform and standing in the gap for my family and friends and those that could not go. We mobilized in 72 hours but our mission to deploy to Iraq never happened due to Northern Turkey not opening its borders. We were broken up in teams and distributed all over the world. I was deployed to the East Coast to Fort Dix, N.J. I worked there in my specialty as an LPN. We worked 14 to 16-hour days. My brother's unit was also activated for Sept. 11 and he had to come through our base to be mobilized. It was very surreal seeing your own brother being sent to fight the war on terrorism. We both know what it means to put our uniforms on. The pride we feel and the honor we get to do it. I was mobilized twice before I transferred into the Air Force in 2005. Each UTA I get to put my uniform on and get to help fight the war on terrorism as a medical technician/LPN. I am proud to serve my country and walk side by side with my fellow Airmen. (Courtesy photo)

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Lt. Col. Eric Johnson, 446th ASTS

When the twin towers went down, when the Pentagon got hit, and the airplane crashed in Pennsylvania, I knew the United States would be involved in a big way. I was 53-years-old, worked as an anesthesiologist, and had no prior military experience. But I knew there would be a need for my medical expertise. Within a week of the attack I began filling out papers to enter the Air Force Reserve. After receiving a presidential age waiver I was in. There was much to learn and many Air Force schools to attend in between my work. My first deployment was to Iraq as the physician of a three-person critical care air transport team. We transported critically injured troops out of Iraq to Germany via C-17. I remember on my first mission thinking that any of these young men and women under my care could have been my own father in World War II, who was injured in the Aleutian Islands preparing for battle against the Japanese. It took more than two months and a combination of a PBY aircraft, ships, and trains to get my dear Dad out of Alaska to Walla Walla, Wash. for definitive care. In Iraq and Afghanistan we were getting these troops back to the United States in 24 to 48 hours from the time of the injury. I have also deployed to Afghanistan. Being a part of the United States military is my greatest honor. I'll stay in as long as they let me. (Courtesy photo)

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JBLM practices create culture of collaboration

Kevin Sibbitt, Joint Base Emergency Communication Center supervisor, listens to a 911 call during a shift in last April. (U.S. Army file photo by Ingrid Barrentine)

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446th Security Forces get dirty and sweaty at Rodeo

Meet your 2011 Security Forces Rodeo Team. Tech. Sgt. Jack Montez, Staff Sgt. David Buchanon, Staff Sgt. Damon Hahn, and Tech. Sgt. Christopher Pierce competed in the combat weapons competition Wednesday at the firing range at Joint Base Lewis McChord-Lewis Main. All four Reservists are part of the 446th Security Forces Squadron at McChord Field.(U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Denise Hauser)

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446th Security Forces get dirty and sweaty at Rodeo

Staff Sgt. David Buchanon, safety manager with the 446th Security Forces Squadron, fires at moving targets with an M-16 during the Combat Weapons competition for Rodeo on Wednesday at the firing range at Joint Base Lewis McChord-Lewis Main. For his civilian job, Buchanan works in reports and analysis at the Doctorate of Emergency Services on Lewis Main. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Denise Hauser)

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446th Security Forces get dirty and sweaty at Rodeo

Staff Sgt. Damon Hahn, a patrolman with the 446th Security Forces Squadron, dons his gas mask for the Combat Weapons competition for Rodeo on Wednesday at the firing range at Joint Base Lewis McChord-Lewis Main. In his civilian life, Hahn is a custodian for the Puyallup School District. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Denise Hauser)

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446th Security Forces get dirty and sweaty at Rodeo

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Pierce, a patrolman with the 446th Security Forces Squadron, sprints to his position during the Combat Weapons competition for Rodeo on Wednesday at the firing range at Joint Base Lewis McChord-Lewis Main. Pierce is a security officer for The Boeing Company in his civilian career. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Denise Hauser)

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446th Security Forces get dirty and sweaty at Rodeo

Tech. Sgt. Jack Montez, training manager for the 446th Security Forces Squadron, low crawls back to his firing position as part of the Combat Weapons portion of the Rodeo competition Wednesday at the firing range at Joint Base Lewis McChord-Lewis Main. Montez is a full-time Reservist with the 446th AW. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Denise Hauser)

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Civic Leaders Participate in Air Force Reserve 101

Rollie Moore, Jr., of Rollie's Tavern in Tacoma, Wash., takes his turn in the pilot seat of a C-5 Galaxy at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif. Mr. Moore particpated in the June 23-24 civic leader tour hosted by the 446th Airlift Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Denise Hauser)

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Civic Leaders Participate in Air Force Reserve 101

Senior Airmen Mitch Williams teaches Rod Wittmier of Vets meet Vets in Buckley, Wash., about the C-17 Globemaster III during the June 23-24 Civic Leader tour hosted by the 446th Airlift Wing. The 446th AW escorted 40 civic leaders to March Air Reseve Base in Riverside, Calif., and Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, CA. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Denise Hauser)

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