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  • Tech Sgt. Nichole Peterson, a Services Technician with the 126th Force Support Squadron, directs forklift training during the 126 FSS field training exercise at Scott AFB, Ill., April 6, 2013. The Illinois Air National Guard unit conducted training with both active duty and other National Guard units during the April unit training assembly. (National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Elise Stout)

    126 FSS conducts field training exercise

    The 126th Force Support Squadron led a three-unit, total-force field training exercise during the April unit training assembly here, where they honed their skills and prepared for the possibility of a deployment.Airmen from the 375 FSS - the 126th's active duty counterpart - and the Illinois Air National Guard's 183 FSS joined Guardsmen from the
  • Col. Peter Nezamis, commander of the 126th Air Refueling Wing, and Master Sgt. Melanie Voyles, the Wing’s fitness program manager, hold the plaque listing Wing members that have scored a perfect 100 percent on their annual fitness assessment. Surrounding them are some 126 ARW members that have aced the test and their commanders. Pictured are (l-r): Capt. Tim Huchel, 1st Lt. Brad Kahrhoff, Staff Sgt. Cody Carlson, Col. Peter Nezamis, Master Sgt. Melanie Voyles, Senior Airman Arthur Lee, Lt. Col. Christopher Mauk and Major George Mell. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ken Stephens)

    Recognition of Fitness Excellence

    Anyone who regularly uses the Mini Fitness Center (MFC) or wanders the halls of Building #5010 before or after a Fitness Assessment (FA) may have noticed a new plaque hanging on the wall outside of the MFC. The plaque recognizes personnel who achieve a perfect 100 percent score on their FA. Despite constant changes to AFI 36-2905, Fitness Program,
  • A NATO E-3A AWACS approaches a 126th Air Refueling Wing’s KC-135E Stratotanker during an aerial refueling rendevous over Europe, June 28, 2007. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Mike Rice)

    Supporting NATO

    Airmen and aircraft from the 126th Air Refueling Wing of the Illinois Air National Guard recently completed a two-week rotation to NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany.While deployed, the 126 ARW, in a total force initiative with personnel of the Mighty 906th Air Refueling Squadron, provided air refueling to the NATO E-3A Airborne Warning and
  • Staff Sgt. Jameson Liggett, a Boom Operator assigned to the 108th Air Refueling Squadron at Scott AFB, Ill., completes fuel calculations prior to an aerial refueling mission. Aerial refueling extends aircraft range and mission duration subsequently providing air superiority over areas of operation. The 108 ARS is assigned to the 126th Air Refueling Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, and routinely performs aerial refueling for U.S. Armed Forces and NATO allied aircraft. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ken Stephens/Released)

    The 126th Operations Group flies planes too

    The young Airman went to a party and visited his friends whom he had not seen in months. His friends were excited to see him, but they did not know why it had been so long since they had visited with him."Where have you been," they asked."I joined the Air Force," the new Airman replied.His friends inquired further, "That's great! What do you
  • Capt. Brandon Cyr, 28, a KC-135 instructor pilot, was among four crewmembers on board an MC-12 who were killed April 27 when their aircraft crashed in the Zabul province in southern Afghanistan. Cyr was a member of the 906th Air Refueling Squadron within the 375th Air Mobility Wing, its parent unit for administrative purposes. However, he flew alongside members of the Illinois Air National Guard's 126th Air Refueling Wing as part of the Air Force's Total Force Integration efforts, and as a result, the loss is deeply felt by members in both wings here, said Col. David Almand, 375th AMW commander. (courtesty photo)

    Scott AFB pilot killed in Afghanistan

    The Department of Defense confirmed today that a pilot stationed here was among four crewmembers on board an MC-12 who were killed April 27 when their aircraft crashed in the Zabul province in southern Afghanistan.Capt. Brandon Cyr, 28, a KC-135 instructor pilot, was a member of the 906th Air Refueling Squadron within the 375th Air Mobility Wing,
  • Master Sgt. Jayme Laurent-Small helps her daughter, Jordyn, put together a marshmallow snowman at a craft table during the 126th Air Refueling Wing's Kid's Christmas Party. The Illinois Air National Guard unit, located at Scott AFB, Ill., hosted the party for Wing members and their children. The special famiiy time included crafts, games, bouncy houses and a visit from Santa Claus and his elves who arrived on a KC-135R Stratotanker. (National Guard photo by Airman First Class Elise Stout)

    Santa Claus comes to town

    Very rarely does Santa step off of an Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker before talking with kids and posing for pictures for the holiday season. But, that is exactly what happened during the 126th Air Refueling Wing's December UTA weekend.As the jolly man in the red suit and his helpers strutted through the Wing hangar past the two bounce houses,
  • Lt. Col. Douglas Edwards (right), 906th Air Refueling Squadron Commander, receives the Airman’s Medal from Lt. Gen. Mark Ramsay, 18th Air Force Commander, in a ceremony at Scott AFB, IL on May 21, 2012. Edwards received the award for rescuing an elderly woman from a burning vehicle on Nov. 2, 2009 near King Hill, Idaho. With complete disregard for his own safety, Edwards succeeded in freeing the injured and trapped victim from her car just moments before the entire vehicle became engulfed in flames. Local Sheriff Deputies responded within eight minutes of the initial 9-1-1 call about the accident and later told Edwards the victim would have been burned alive if he hadn’t acted so quickly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Franklin Hayes)

    Permanent Change of Station leads to much more than a new command - Act of heroism is recognized with an Airman's Medal

    Lt. Col. Doug Edwards, commander, 906th Air Refueling Squadron, had no idea he was on a course with destiny when he and his family began their 2009 trip from Joint Base Lewis-McChord Wash. to a new duty station at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.Nov. 2, 2009, Doug, his wife Joy, and their three children traveled separately in two vehicles on a desolate
  • Tech. Sgt. Jacob is one of the Air National Guard Outstanding Airmen of the Year. He recently took the honor in the Noncommisioned Officer category and now moves into the selection for the Air Force's 2012 Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year.

    Illinois Airman earns Air National Guard Outstanding Airmen of the Year recognition

    There may not be one perfect Guardsman in the United States, but there is one Illinois Guardsman who was recognized as the best noncommissioned officer (NCO) in the country by the Air National Guard.Illinois Air National Guardsman Tech. Sgt. Jacob Curtis of Fairview Heights, with the 126th Security Forces Squadron at Scott Air Force Base, was
  • Tech. Sgt. Brent Trame, a Client System Technician with the 126th Communications Flight, attaches cabling to a video camera on March 3, 2012. The camera is part of a Contingency Response Communications System (CRCS). The CRCS is an internet based solution that allows first responders to communicate and exchange information by radio, live streaming video, wireless internet and voice over IP services. It provides highly mobile critical communications services to local, state and federal first responders with a simple to operate solution that bridges the gap between first responder agencies and various levels of command and control. The CRCS is a vehicle mounted, rapidly deployable asset that requires only two personnel and can be operational within 30 minutes of arriving on site. The 126th Air Refueling Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, can provide communications as well as other vital services in the aftermath of a natural disaster or other emergency. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Franklin Hayes)

    Providing vital communications during natural disasters or emergencies

    Airmen assigned to the 126th Communications Flight (CF) know that reliable communications are essential everyday but become more critical during times of natural disasters or emergencies. Training and equipment are ever-evolving and the Director of Homeland Security has stated that next generation emergency communications equipment must be highly
  • Maj. William S. Dixon, Jr. was born Dec. 25, 1946, in Detroit, Mich. Commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the Air Force in 1968, Maj. Dixon obtained a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind.

    IN MEMORIAM...

    Thirty years ago this March, a KC-135A Stratotanker assigned to the 126th Air Refueling Wing exploded while on a routine training mission near K.I. Sawyer AFB in northern Michigan. All 27 people aboard the aircraft were killed, including four aircrew members assigned to the 126th Air Refueling Wing and 23 members of the 928th Tactical Airlift
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