139th News

  • Airmen tasked with search and recovery training

    Officials confirmed Feb. 28 that the 139th Services Flight, Force Support Squadron (FSS), will take charge of the Fatality Search and Recovery Mission for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Region VII.The Fatality Search and Recovery Team (FSRT) falls within the Missouri Homeland Response

  • Whitley receives promotion to chief master sergeant

    Morcie Whitley, of Kansas City, Kan., was promoted to the rank of chief master sergeant during a ceremony March 4 at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base.Whitley began her career in 1992 with the 139th as an administrative clerk, after serving in the Air Force Reserve Command for nearly four years.

  • Old maintenance hand, State Command Chief retires

    A 139th Airlift Wing veteran, who achieved the top enlisted title in the Missouri Air National Guard, gave his parting words to a formation comprised of time-honored friendships forged from nearly 41 years of service.Chief Master Sgt. William Phillips, State Command Chief, was honored in a

  • Guard’s leaders name 139th Operations Group ‘Outstanding’

    The Air National Guard recently recognized the 139th Operations Group here as recipient of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.Each year the Air Guard selects its top units for the recognition from more than 88 flying wings and 200 geographically separated units throughout the United States, the

  • Mayor presents ‘key to city’ to 139th AW

    St. Joseph Mayor Bill Falkner presented the key to the city to Col. Michael Pankau at a banquet Jan. 25, 2012. Pankau, the 139th Airlift Wing commander, humbly accepted the key on behalf of the Wing."It makes me proud to be a member of this Wing," said Pankau. "This represents what the 1000 plus

  • 139th Airlift Wing expects C-130H3s to replace current aircraft

    The 139th Airlift Wing here expects to lose its 10 C-130H2.5 aircraft while receiving eight, newer-model C-130H3s, according to Col. Michael Pankau, Wing commander.The change is part of the Air Force's overall aircraft reductions for Fiscal Year 2013 and Total Force Re-missioning for Fiscal Year

  • AATTC instructors teach 240th class

    Two defensive systems instructors for the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center here recently completed their 240th class since the mid-1990s, and have now taught more than 900 other weapons instructors how to safely load chaff flares on C-130 cargo aircraft.Master Sgt. Rick Karlslyst and Tech

  • AATTC's 30th Tactics/Intel Symposium a success

    More than 300 military members, civilians and vendors attended the 30th Tactics-Intelligence Symposium, hosted here Jan. 23-26 by the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center (AATTC) with assistance from the 139th Airlift Wing.The Symposium annually brings together airlift and intelligence personnel

  • 139th Fire Department provides assistance

    Members of the 139th Fire Department responded to two emergency mutual-aid calls within a 24-hour period from the Elwood (Kan.) Fire Department requesting assistance.The 139th FD received the first call Jan. 4 at 2:55 p.m. requesting assistance with a multiple vehicle accident with one rolled-over

  • Wing crew chief named best in Missouri

    A 139th Airlift Wing Airman here was recently recognized as the state's best noncommissioned officer (NCO) of the year by the Missouri National Guard.Tech. Sgt. Fredrick Pierce is the Missouri Air Guard's Outstanding NCO of the Year. He is among several other Airmen and Army Guard Soldiers,