TANKER TIMES November 2008

Pennsylvania Guardsmen carry fight back to Afghanistan

MANAS AIR BASE, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC -- Staff Sgt. John Henn and TSgt. 

Sgt. Michele Mersing affix a sign pointing home to a well populated sign post 

here, Sept. 24. The two Guardsmen are 

deployed with 120 others and four KC135s from the Pennsylvania Air National 

Guard’s 171st Air Refueling Wing. The 

Pittsburgh unit is supporting Manas 

AB’s 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, 

which serves as the premier air mobility 

and refueling hub for military operations 

in Afghanistan. Sergeant Henn’s grandfather, a Korean War veteran, made the 

sign and sent it with his grandson to remind the Guardsman and his colleagues 

that the comforts of home and loved ones 

await their return, 6,467 miles away. 

(Air Force photo / Maj. Damien Pickart)

 9/25/2008 - MANAS AIR BASE, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC -- Seven years after 

United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into an 

empty field 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, Penn., a group of nearly 120 Air 

National Guardsmen from Pittsburgh’s 

171st Air Refueling Wing are helping 

carry the fight back to its origins in the 

rugged mountains of Afghanistan. 

For servicemembers fighting there, 

including Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen, the safety net of air cover overhead can not be maintained without 

round-the-clock air refueling missions 

the 171st ARW is helping to provide to 

aircraft like the A-10 Warthogs out of 

Willow Grove, Penn. The 171st ARW is 

but one part of more than 1,000 Pennsylvania Guardsmen deployed in support 

of the Global War on Terror; the largest 

activation of the state’s National Guard 

since WWII. 

Since the first week of September, 

maintainers, aircrew and a host of other 

support personnel from the 171st ARW 

have contributed their four KC-135 

refueling tankers to the daily armada 

of aircraft supporting operations on the 

dangerous battlefields below. 

“We are the first planned ANG unit 

to serve here as a part of the effort to integrate Active Duty and ANG air refueling operations at Manas Air Base,” said 

Capt. John McCullough, an eight-year 

KC-135 pilot from Pittsburgh. “We fly 

by Maj. Damien Pickart, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

each other’s aircraft and even mix our 

aircrews for missions. It’s been working 

well and we’re glad to be able to help 

keep the guys safe on the ground.” 

Along with nearly 1,000 other coalition servicemembers serving at the Central Asian air base, these Pennsylvania 

Guardsmen voluntarily gave up time 

with their families, their daily routines 

and the comforts of home to deploy here 

and support a greater cause. 

As the premier air mobility and 

refueling hub supporting operations in 

Afghanistan, the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing’s KC-135 fleet is integral in 

the fight to defeat the threat of terrorism that originated there, including the 

Pittsburgh natives who remember how 

the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks touched so 

close to home that day. 

“9/11 was right in our backyards,” 

said Capt. David Cornetta, a traditional 

Guardsman with the 171st ARW and a 

nine-year Pennsylvania State Trooper. 

“I remember being at the base that day 

and how we were put on high alert after 

the attacks. All of us remember why 

we’ve come here and what our purpose 

is. When I arrived, I recall the wing 

commander briefing us about how this 

place was stood up in response to the 

9/11 attacks and it gave me chills.” 

The deployment is the unit’s first 

to Manas, which was originally named 

PENNSYLVANIA AIR NATIONAL GUARD Vol. 8, No.5 November 2008 Pittsburgh, PA

See “Pennsylvania Guardsmen” Page 4
TANKER TIMES November 2008

We continue to receive great news about our airmen serving in Operation Enduring Freedom. I am so proud of all the men and women who recently returned from 

their tours of duty. I think what makes the difference for us is the active ongoing 

encouragement to push leadership across our chain of command right down to the 

airmen level. Technical competence and adherence to classic military values is vital 

to our success, but I sense we have other qualities at play. We clearly have those 

who can think creatively, lead change, and show flexibility as well as adaptability. 

For example, in a later issue of the Tanker Times you will read about the efforts 

we have taken to restore our F-102 static aircraft display. It took calculated risk, 

ingenuity and teamwork to place this magnificent aircraft back on the flight line 

after 18 years of sitting on a pedestal outside our gate. The airmen who made that 

possible came from all over the base – Thanks to everyone who helped. 

Another example of the qualities of leadership we admire, I recently received a letter from the 22nd Expeditionary Air 

Refueling Squadron Commander highlighting why he selected our Master Sgt. Sarah Weaver as the Squadron’s Senior 

Noncommissioned Officer of the month. Diligence and an unselfish attitude were noted, but Lt. Col. Dorau mentioned 

this – her work ethic. He noted her work ethic was at the level of two administrators. That’s Pittsburgh! 

Finally, I asked four of our returning pilots how many hours they logged flying combat support missions over Afghanistan. All of them told me approximately 140 hours per month. To put it in perspective, I asked a former Army aviator 

and retired Continental Airlines pilot what was the most flying time he ever logged in a month. He told me 125 hours. 

One of the pilots told me he only had one personal concern – being over the combat zone to ensure our war fighters on the 

ground had life saving airpower support. Some of the missions these guys flew were like nothing they ever encountered 

in training. The experience is priceless. 

Remarkably, in spite of the AEF deployment with some of our key personnel, including the Operations Group Commander, Col. Dave MacMillan, being deployed, we have never missed a mission with our ongoing Northeast Tanker Task 

Force operation from our home ramp. We have numerous airmen demonstrating adaptability every day as they fall in for 

those who are deployed. There is much training to be done here. We have a wave of new 2nd lieutenants back from pilot 

training, and our sizable student flight is working its way through basic training and technical school. Approximately one 

fourth of our Wing consists of first term airmen. That is tempered by another fourth of our Wing which has over twenty 

years of service. Both generations are busy working with each other and I note with great success. 

As Brigadier General Boardley often said, “It’s good to be in Pittsburgh.” It sure is!

“Editorial Staff”

2

This funded Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Tanker Times are not necessarily the 

official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense or the U.S. Air Force.The editorial content is prepared, edited and 

provided by the Public Affairs Office of the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Coraopolis, PA.

171 ARW/PA . 300 Tanker Rd. # 4205 . Coraopolis, PA 15108-4205 . Comm: 412-776-7350 . Fax: 412-776-7845 . publicaffairs@papitt.ang.af.mil

Brigadier General Roy E. Uptegraff, III Commander

171st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office: Lt. Col. Donald Accamando

Col. George Washington introduces Brig. Gen. Roy Uptegraff 

during Pittsburgh’s 250th Birthday Celebration on October 4, 

2008 in Point State Park. Brig. Gen. Uptegraff then proceeded 

to perform a mass “swearing in” ceremony with 13 new local 

military members. The day’s events culminated with an “Imagine 

Pittsburgh” Fireworks Spectacular. (Air Force photo / Master 

Sgt. Ann Young)

Happy Birthday Pittsburgh! In 1758, British General John Forbes and Colonel George 

Washington led their 6,000 troops into battle and carved the 

Forbes Trail out of virgin wilderness beginning in Philadelphia. 

Ultimately taking possession of Fort Duquesne’s smoldering 

ruins at The Point bounded by the confluence of the Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio rivers, they opened the gateway 

to the West and the making of America. They named their new 

possession and the surrounding territory --“Pittsburgh.”

Pittsburgh Proud 

by Brig. Gen. Roy Uptegraff, Wing Commander
TANKER TIMES 3 November 2008

Briefs FYI

Estimated pay date for the

November UTA:

12 November

Estimated pay date for the

November SUTA:

17 November

by Command Chief Master Sgt. Vic Guerra

The Montour Run Road YMCA is 

offering a special membership deal to 

171st Air Refueling Wing unit members. The reduced membership fee is 

$62/year for an individual and $100/

year for a family. Stop into the Public 

Affairs Office to get a Military Reduced 

Membership Form for the Montour Run 

Road location’s offer.

The Department of Defense has 

partnered with the Armed Services 

YMCA to fund memberships for 

families of deployed military members. 

Please see www.militaryonesource.com 

for more details and eligibility forms.

Lunch is available starting at 1000 for $3.85 for Non military members, AGRs and Officers.

Then come join us for some “Holiday’s” Fun 1100 – 1400

There will be a HALLOWEEN corn maze; an EASTER egg hunt; a FOURTH OF JULY miniature golf course; ST PATRICK’S DAY and VALENTINE’S DAY puzzles to build; make a 

Holiday craft and of course Santa’s Workshop.

Santa will arrive at 1230!

USAA will be available.

Please make sure you have your PARKING PASS for those family members not arriving with 

you at the start of the duty day. You will need one even if your second car has a sticker.

Everyone is asked to donate one dozen of your favorite cookie for the snack table.

Military deals at YMCAs

The U.S. begins Daylight Saving 

Time at 2:00 a.m. local time on the 

second Sunday in March and reverts 

to Standard Time at 2:00 a.m. local 

time on the first Sunday in November. DST is not observed in Hawaii 

or Arizona, with the exception of the 

Navajo Nation, which does observe 

DST, even in Arizona.

Daylight Saving Time ends 

during November UTA

Please see your unit’s orderly 

room to select a Treasures for 

Children child to sponsor.

You may have been expecting the second part of a 

four part article on The Airmen’s Creed; which I will 

try to get back to next month. Instead, this month I 

felt the need to talk about an incident that happened 

recently.

When we talk about being a good Wingman, usually it’s in the context of keeping a fellow Airman out 

of trouble, before trouble strikes. But being a good 

Wingman can also be about taking care of a fellow 

Airman after trouble strikes.

Tragedy struck one of our fellow Airman the Friday night before last month’s Unit Training Assembly 

(UTA) while he was deployed overseas. Back here at 

home, while his father and brother were at a local high 

school football game in the area, their house caught fire; destroying the interior of 

the home and everything in it. This would be tragedy enough, but there’s more. 

Their mother was home at the time of the fire. She was reportedly found in the 

house by firefighters and taken by ambulance to a local hospital where she later 

passed away. 

Being good Wingmen, various unit members both here at home and at the deployed location, sprung into action to ensure the expedited return of our deployed 

Airman. Several Wingmen greeted him at the Pittsburgh airport late on Sunday 

night, made sure he was OK (at least as OK as could be expected), brought him 

back to the Base to get his car, and made sure he called his family to let them know 

he got back OK and was on his way home. But being a good Wingman didn’t 

end there. In fact, unit members are continuing to be good Wingmen as I write 

this article. 

Shortly after we received notification of this tragedy, fellow Airmen from his 

section started “relief” efforts which soon spread to the entire base. A collection can 

and donation box were established to collect money, gift cards, articles of clothing, 

blankets, toiletries, etc. to help our Airman’s family start to get back on their feet, 

at least where living essentials were concerned. Donations started to come in even 

before our deployed Airman made it back to Pittsburgh. What had already been 

collected was given to him when he arrived. He was very appreciative of all that 

had been done for him and his family in such a short period of time. Since then, 

he and his family have been overwhelmed by the generosity and support that our 

unit has given to them.

I couldn’t be prouder of how our unit’s Wingmen, have responded to this tragedy. 

How we have come together to help a fellow Airman’s family in need and how we 

continued to do so as I write - That’s what being a good Wingman is all about.

Being a Good Wingman

Winter Family Day
TANKER TIMES 4 November 2008

Ganci Air Base in honor of New York City’s fire chief, Peter 

Ganci Jr., who was killed leading his department’s efforts 

at the World Trade Center. Several of the Pennsylvania 

Guardsmen attended the wing’s Sept. 11 remembrance 

ceremony shortly after arriving. 

Manas AB is the first combat air refueling wing to mix 

ANG and Active Duty air refueling assets and personnel. 

Hundreds of Airmen and nearly a dozen KC-135s from 

Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., have deployed here repeatedly for four month intervals since the base stood up 

in December 2001. To lessen the operations tempo and 

time they spend away from home, a plan was recently 

implemented to augment the wing’s operations with ANG 

units. Pittsburgh’s tankers and Airmen were selected as 

the first scheduled unit. In the interim, ANG units from 

Iowa, Utah and nearly ten other states filled in until the Air 

Expeditionary Force 5/6 cycle started Sept. 1. 

“It’s been working really well and we’re learning a 

lot from each other,” said Chief Master Sgt. Ben Shinsky, 

superintendent of KC-135 maintenance operations. “The 

Guard and Active Duty maintainers complement one 

another. It’s great to see one of our 20-year engine guys 

sharing his wealth of experience with some younger Active Duty mechanic who in turn shares with him some new 

techniques or procedures we may not be familiar with.” 

The relationship that has developed between Fairchild 

AFB and the 171st ARW has also been a reunion of sorts 

for some. Two Fairchild deployers, Capt. David Schuster, a 

KC-135 pilot, and KC-135 refueling boom operator Senior 

Airman Leighann Ray (formerly Mills) are both Pittsburgh 

area natives now serving on Active Duty and deployed 

alongside their fellow Pittsburgh neighbors. Staff Sgt. John 

Henn was recently looking through some pictures taken 

here and recognized a face. 

“I saw Senior Airman Ray’s picture and couldn’t believe I was deployed with a fellow high school classmate,” 

said Sergeant Henn, an aircrew life support technician from 

Pittsburgh. “We both graduated Shaler Area High School 

in 2004 and now we’re here serving together; one Active 

Duty, one Guard - same hometown, same fight.” 

That fight is being waged by families as well. A common feature in Guard units is the number of members that 

often hail from the same family and the Pittsburgh unit is 

no different. 

The Shinsky family from Cecil, Penn., will have sent 

four family members to the fight by the time the wing’s 

deployment here ends in early November. Chief Shinsky 

oversees a complex maintenance effort by over a hundred 

Airmen to fix and repair the nearly 50-year-old aircraft. 

Somewhere in that daily effort labors his son, Staff Sgt. Ben 

Shinsky Jr., a crew chief on the venerable air refueler. 

“I didn’t know where Kyrgyzstan was on the map before I 

came, but really I like it here,” said Sergeant Shinsky. “The pace 

is a lot faster than back home, but it really makes time fly and 

what we support here is great.” 

As soon as Sergeant Shinsky departs, his uncle and younger 

brother will arrive as a part of second group of Pittsburgh Guardsmen who will support the latter half of the unit’s deployment 

through November. 

While Guard and Active Duty maintainers prepare more than 

a dozen KC-135s for missions in support of the daily air tasking order, aircrew plan six to eight hour flights while discussing 

news from home. 

The missions flown from Manas carry their aircrew and precious cargo of fuel hundreds of miles south and high above the 

hinterlands of Afghanistan, where troops on the ground often find 

themselves engaged with the enemy. Many of these encounters 

result in requests for air support, which in turn depends on the 

fuel from Manas AB’s KC-135s to keep them airborne and able 

to support the action for longer periods of time. 

On one recent, yet remarkable mission in early September, a 

Pennsylvania ANG crew found themselves passing gas to A-10 

Warthogs deployed from their neighbor Guardsmen in Willow 

Grove, Penn., who were in turn providing air support for Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen on the ground engaged in a firefight. 

The mission epitomized the “joint” nature of modern combat and 

truly illustrated Pennsylvanians helping one another out. 

“We know we’re making a difference to those on the ground 

who might be in a hairy situation,” said Lt. Col. Jeff McKee, a 

171st ARW pilot. “That mission, which we’ve repeated several 

times, hit a little closer to home because those guys were fellow 

neighbors from Pennsylvania.” 

Back in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania, front yard trees 

and picture windows continue to sport yellow ribbons and blue 

stars; a reminder to neighbors, families and the passer by of the 

sacrifices their loved ones are continuing to make as they carry 

on the fight that began in their backyards seven years earlier. 

“We’re making the most of our time here and making a difference in this effort,” said Tech. Sgt. Michele Mersing, a Pittsburgh native serving as the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling 

Squadron’s Host Aviation Resource Manager. “We might be a 

long way from home, but we’re a pretty tight family. We make 

a point to look out for one another.”

“Pennsylvania Guardsmen,” continued from Page 1

Nearly 120 Guardsmen and four KC-135s from the 171st Air 

Refueling Wing are deployed to Manas through November 

to support the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, which serves 

as the premier air mobility and refueling hub for military 

operations in Afghanistan. You’ll find just a few of the 

dedicated deployers on the facing page. 
TANKER TIMES 5 November 2008

Staff Sergeants Seth Bradley, 

Justin Jones and Ben Shinsky 

Jr. (L-R), situate a B-1 aircraft 

maintenance stand to support 

an air refueling drogue they 

recently mounted to a KC-135 

Stratotanker, Sept. 9. (Air 

Force photo / Maj. Damien 

Pickart)

Capt. Hilary Ayanru, Lt. Col. 

Brian Krawchyk and Lt. Col. 

Jeff McKee (climbing ladder) 

prepare for an air refueling mission over Afghanistan, Sept. 9. 

(Air Force photo / Maj. Damien 

Pickart)

Staff Sergeant Brad Michaelson, 

a KC-135 crew chief with Pittsburgh’s 171st Air Refueling Wing, 

removes the main landing gear 

downlock pins as he prepares the 

aircraft for an air refueling mission over Afghanistan, Sept. 9. 

(Air Force photo / Maj. Damien 

Pickart)

Tech. Sgt. Kevin Robertson, a 

KC-135 crew chief, removes a panel to access and replace an inboard 

landing gear light. (Air Force 

photo / Maj. Damien Pickart)

Tech. Sgt. Michele Mersing, 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling 

Squadron Host Aircraft Resource Manager, reviews flying 

records Sept. 9, to 

ensure aircrew are 

compliant with training and flight safety 

requirements. (Air 

Force photo / Maj. 

Damien Pickart)

A KC-135 

Stratotanker and aircrew from 

the Pennsylvania Air 

N a t i o n a l 

G u a r d ’ s 

1 7 1 s t A i r 

R e f u e l i n g 

Wing, taxis 

past a row 

of Kyrgyz 

Republic flags after returning from an air refueling mission over 

Afghanistan, Sept. 9. (Air Force photo / Maj. Damien Pickart)

Staff Sgt. Rachel 

Harrington, 22nd 

Expeditionary Air 

Refueling Squadron, 

was selected as the 

376th Air Expeditionary Wing Warrior of the Week for 

the last week of September. According to Sergeant Harrington, “both of my grandfathers 

served our country and instilled patriotism in me. I am proud to have 

the opportunity to serve my country as well. Providing health care 

services for troops returning from “down range” is heart-warming. 

I consider being here an honor.” (Air Force courtesy photo)

The 376th Air Expeditionary 

Wing First Sergeants recognize 

Airmen weekly for displaying 

outstanding leadership, exceptional duty performance, 

and impeccable dress and 

appearance with the Diamond 

Sharp Award.
TANKER TIMES November 2008

Once again, the C.E. Kelly 

Commissary is coming to the 171st. 

They will be on base on Saturday, 

November 1, 2008. You may place 

an order through the Family Readiness office. Just email deborah.

krall@papitt.ang.af.mil for an order 

form or for more information. 

This time, orders must be 

picked-up between 10 a.m. and 

noon in the tent behind the supply 

building. Payment will again be 

made through debit or credit cards only. No cash or checks will accepted. 

Remember, there is a 5% surcharge on all orders, but the savings more 

than makes up for this charge.

In addition to the savings the Commissary has been able to arrange 

through local vendors, consider the savings in your time and gas. This is 

a great opportunity to stock up for the Holidays. 

According to the annual commissary market basket survey, the highest commissary savings are on meat and produce - 36 to 40% - but major 

savings over retail can be found in all departments. Regular commissary 

shopping saves a family of four $2,400 per year or 30%. To see the savings for yourself, look at the shopping cart display at the Dining Facility 

during the UTA. 

Through a generous donation of the Our Guard Family Committee, 

the groceries in the cart will be given to one lucky family on November 

1. Winner will be notified after 1 p.m.

6

Retiree Office

300 Tanker Road #4210 . Coraopolis, PA 15108-4210

(412) 776-7587, (DSN) 294-7587

FAX: (412) 776-7441

ray.long@papitt.ang.af.mil

Numerous inputs were received about the 

October Tanker Times. Seems the address 

was OK but the name was wrong. We have 

no idea what went wrong and hopefully things 

will be alright for the November issue. Sorry 

about that.

We extend our sympathies to the family and 

relatives of Major Robert W. Bundy, USAF 

Retired who died September 9, 2008. He was 

61 years old. Bob served in the U.S. Army 

during the Vietnam War and joined the Guard 

in 1973. at the time of death he was living 

in Sarasota, Florida. During his time in the 

guard he worked as the Personnel Officer 

with the 171st Air Refueling Wing. May he rest in peace.

Congratulations to the following retirees: 

Senior Master Sgt. Russell Braunstein, Master Sgts. Joseph D. Pillitteri and Betty Jo D. 

Whaley-Stevens, Tech. Sgts. Robert T. Santo 

and John J. Barfchak, also Staff Sgt. Richard E. 

Goyke. If we may be of any assistance please contact this office.

MISCELLANEOUS ODDS AND ENDS -- 

Additionally there is now a snack shop. Lunch 

is served daily from 1030 to 1330. Breakfast is 

scheduled to begin in the near future. Getting 

an ID card at Oakdale may not be something to 

plan on after 10 October. Best you call ahead 

and find out if they got a replacement cameraman. Ground breaking for the new commissary 

will be April or May 2009 with a completion 

date in 2010. Budget restraints may reason to 

close the TRICARE Service Center in Moon 

Township. The 171 ARW now has a classified 

Ads Section. Maybe a 3.9 pay raise come 1 

January 2009

DOD has awarded TRICARE Retiree Dental 

Program for another 5 years starting October 

1. For additional information visit their website 

www.trdp.org or call 1-888-838-8737.

As of November 1, 2008 our office hours will 

change to 0900 hours until 1300 hours. These 

hours will remain in effect until March 31, 

2009.

3rd Annual Salute to Veteran Entrepreneurs

America’s VBOC’s Small Business Conference & Expo

DATE: November 10 & 11 2008

Place: RMU Island Sports Center Neville Island, Pa 

Premier Sponsor: Northrup Grumman

In an effort to empower veterans as successful entrepreneurs to create 

a substantial economic force in the community and region, the Region 

III Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) will hosts it 3rd Annual 

Salute to Veteran Entrepreneurs Small Business Conference and Expo on 

November 10 & 11, 2008.

The conference will highlight, recognize, and engender support of 

the Veteran Entrepreneurship Movement in our nation, and the economic 

impact of veteran entrepreneurship on the community. The STVE 2008 

will also feature an array of outstanding veteran entrepreneur leaders in 

government.

This premier event affords the opportunity for all participants to have 

direct access to prime government contractors, and offers the ultimate 

experience in networking and matchmaking opportunities.

This year’s salute will be an action-packed 2-day affair, with up to 100 

exhibitors that will include local, regional, and national participants from 

government agencies, prime contractors, and local and national veteran 

entrepreneurs.

Welcome Back

by Deb Krall, 171st Wing Family Program Coordinator
TANKER TIMES 7 November 2008

RECRUITER ZONE

Our Recruiting Team -- (412) 776-7495

Master Sgts. Sue Smith and Skip Powell, Tech. Sgt. John Frazier, Senior Airmen Shayla Pollard and Senior Airmen Lindsey Duncan

Contact us toll free at 1-877-249-5193 or through the web www.papitt.ang.af.mil

You have just entered the ...

Congratulations!

Welcome new members 

of the 171st

Retention Corner

By Master Sgt. Don Schauer

171 ARW FY-2009 INCENTIVE CAREER FIELDS

1N0X1 Intel Applications

2A5X1 Aerospace Maintenance

2A6X1 Aerospace Propulsion

2A6X2 Aerospace Ground Equipment 

2A6X4 Aircraft Fuel Systems

2A6X6 Aircraft Electrical & Environmental Systems

2E1X1 Satellite Wide Band Communication

2E1X3 Ground Radio Communication

2E2X1 Network Infrastructure Systems

2T2X1 Air Transportation

2W0X1 Munitions Systems

3P0X1 Security Forces

3S0X1 Personnel (PERSCO SEI)

2A7X3 Aircraft Structural Maintenance

2A5X3A/B Avionics COMM NAV/Flight Controls

2A6X5 Air Hydraulic Ssytems

2R1X1 Maintenance Management Production

3E0X1 CE Electrical Systems

3E0X2 CE Electrical Power Production

3E3X1 CE Structral

3E4X1 CE Utilities Systems

4A2X1 Biomedical Equipment

1W0X1Weather Analyst

For 6-year enlistments/re-enlistments members can choose 2 of 3 incentives between the Student Loan Repayment Program, $15,000 Cash Bonus, 

or the GI Bill Kicker. 3-year enlistments/re-enlistments are only eligible for a 

$7500 cash bonus. 

Alexander M. Brown

Genna L. Doernbuerger

Joshua L. Domitrovich

Amanda D. Duranko

Jonathan J. Grant

Gregory P. Hardy

Kyle J. Keinlein

Nicholas J. Kerr

Stephanie L. Mcelhaney

Matthew I. Quinlisk

Brittany A. Rock

Lucas T. Sedar

Stephanie Sellinger

Jeremy M. Shoup

She’cholle M. Winmon

On September 29, 2008, Lt. Col. Jim Brown, 171st Operations, swears in his son, Alex , 

who will be a member of the 171st Services Squadron.

Christopher Ebert

Christopher Cordero

Jonathon R Lesko

Robert S Desantis

James P Brent

Dereck M Scheller Jr

Amber D Miller

Rickelle Groover

Joshua J Vargo

Daniel J Miller

Robert K Andrews

Tiffany L Slaven

Christopher M Sheppard

Gary W Hutsler Jr

Kreig Williams

Matthew D Stoltz
TANKER TIMES November 2008

171st Air Refueling Wing/PAO

Pittsburgh IAP

300 Tanker Road #4205

Coraopolis, PA 15108-4205

To the family of:

PRSTD STD

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Brownsville, PA 15417

Permit No. 6

Crew chiefs: Keith Acre, Fran Startare, John Kopas,

Kevin Clancy, Matt Leisie, Brian Thomsen, Rod Salka.

Gen. McKinley approved 

to lead Guard Bureau - 

first 4-star in the Guard

Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley 

was confirmed as the 26th chief of 

the National Guard Bureau by the 

Senate Oct. 2 in Washington, D.C. 

He is scheduled to become the first 

four-star general in the nearly 372-

year history of the National Guard. 

(U.S. Air Force photo)

171st Base infrastructure modernizes

Throughout the past year, the Civil Engineering Squadron dug deeply into three 

major construction projects on base. The 

renovation or new construction projects 

were valued at nearly $4 million. Topping 

the list of this year’s projects was a new 

3000-square-foot Combat Arms Training & 

Maintenance (CATM) building with a price 

tag of $750,000. “This is a one-stop-shop,” 

said Civil Engineering Commander Lt. Col. 

Mike Christoff, “benefiting all unit members 

in addition to security forces personnel.” 

Located adjacent to the existing firing range, 

the CATM will house the firearms training 

system, a classroom, weapon cleaning and 

storage facilities and latrines. “I believe we 

are the first ANG unit to have a stand alone 

CATM facility,” said Christoff. 

In addition to the new construction, an 

older facility received a much needed overhaul. Hangar 304, a fuel maintenance facility 

used by maintenance to repair fuel leaks, received a makeover. This $1.3 million project 

bundled a series of improvements to this 70’s 

era hangar. The modifications included the 

remodeling of the existing office space, the 

construction of a new wheel and tire shop, 

the addition of new latrines and updated 

locker rooms, bay lighting and a gas-fire 

radiant system that will heat the building, 

and a new standing seam metal roof. 

Crew chiefs working the flight line can 

look forward to less FOD on the west ramp, 

thanks to the $1.7 million aprons and taxiway 

replacement project. This project includes 25 

miles of new joints in-between the concrete 

slabs, 55 full slab replacements, and in excess 

of 1,000 partial slab repairs. The 1950’s era 

aircraft parking ramp was crumbling. “The 

concrete slabs were failing and had many full 

depth cracks and spalls,” said Christoff. The 

much needed work restored the integrity of 

the ramp and prevented further deterioration 

due to freeze thaw cycles.

As for future projects, the original 

section of building 107 will undergo multiple improvements beginning spring 2009. 

Upgrades include a new roof, ATFP (antiterrorism force protection) compliant windows, an updated heating ventilation and 

air conditioning unit with digital controls 

and new ceiling and lighting. The OPS desk 

will be reconfigured and the flight kitchen 

will be relocated.

Looking farther ahead, the electrical and 

communication infrastructure for the entire 

base will be moved underground, ridding the 

base of all telephone poles and decreasing 

the likelihood for storm damage. The 171st 

will also have a new garage to store large 

vehicles come 2010. A 6000-square-foot, 

multi-bay parking facility will be located 

near the alert facility.

Hangar 304, built in the 1970s, receives a 

much needed overhaul in 2008. (Air Force 

photo / Master Sgt. Ann Young)

by Staff Sgt. Stacy Gault, 171st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

Aircraft: 58-0084

Hours Flown: 200.6

Sorties Flown: 34