Around the Air Force

In this week's look around the Air Force, Resolute Force Pacific 25 concludes after 30 days of exercising contingency-response capabilities across the Indo-Pacific, Deployable Combat Wings reorganize forces to meet requirements in any theater, and the Space Force approves a milestone upgrade towards advancing Space Domain Awareness.

U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Lee Hartley, the assistant adjutant general for the Tennessee Air National Guard, delivers a message to airmen at the 118th Wing in Nashville, TN, on April 5, 2025. The purpose of his visit was to reinforce embracing the warrior ethos mindset as we continue to collaborate, not only domestically, but on the international level, to defend our homeland. Wearing MOPP (Mission-Oriented Protective Posture) gear as the symbol of the Tennessee Air National Guard’s commitment to camaraderie, purpose, and the mission set that defines who we are, Hartley said that “we need to be exceptional at adapting fast … we need to be pretty good at going places and figuring it out quickly.” Upholding high standards of excellence to ensure mission success is what drives our ability to pivot and execute. “In our culture, what we encourage when we talk about the expeditionary mindset is commander’s intent, and you solve it”, he continues. “We are really good at that.” In an era of increased global volatility and emerging threats, deterrence, readiness and the need to remain agile is paramount. “I have yet to see a top-down solution that will beat grassroots effort when it comes to solving a problem”, he said. “Our airmen are empowered to come up with solutions to the problems they have. All the attention to details and standards that go along with this goes a long way.” Hartley’s message resonated with airmen, reinforcing our core values to push us to succeed in future operations. In short: Wherever the mission, we’re always prepared to face it - no matter the environment. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Staff Sgt. Yonette)

Cpl Thomas Leroux explains his new role with Task Force-Volunteer. (U.S. Air National Guard video by SSgt DeJon Williams)

Texas Army National Guardsmen support local Texans at the Dallas Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on April 1, 2020. Guardsmen and paratroopers unpack medical supplies and cots in preparation to host patients with COVID-19 symptoms. The soldiers set up Federal Medical Station's at different locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. (Video By U.S. Air National Guard A1C Charissa A Menken)

Texas Air National Guardsmen from the 136th Airlift Wing, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, pack boxes of food for distribution, June 3, 2020. Their mission includes sorting dry goods, packing food boxes, and helping support families in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Air National Guard video by A1C Charissa Menken)

Texas Air National Guardsmen tour Tarrant Area Food Bank with Chief Operating Officer, Bennett Cepak, June 17, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas, with Team Two Leader, Master Sgt. Dan Bentley, following Mr. Cepak through the distribution center as he explains how the Guardsmen are helping operations and expedite the food distribution process. Guardsmen have helped pack fresh produce, dry goods, and perishables at GSU-4 to be sent out to local food pantries. (U.S. Air National Guard video by A1C Charissa Menken)

Tarrant Area Food Bank Chief Operation Officer, Bennett Cepak, takes Texas Air National Guardsmen from the local GSU (Geographically Separated Unit) COVID response team two, on a tour through the Food Bank Distribution Center, June 17, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas. Working their way through each large store room, Cepak shared how their processes have changed and how they've met the new challenges during the pandemic with help from the Guard.

TEXAS AIR NATIONAL GUARDSMEN FROM THE 136TH AIRLIFT WING HELP FACILITATE A FOOD RUN AT DICKIES STADIUM IN FORT WORTH TEXAS JUNE 24, 2020. THEIR MISSION INCLUDES UNLOADING PALETTES OF FOOD, DIRECTING VEHICLE TRAFFIC, AND LOADING CARS WITH FAMILY FOOD BOXES.TARRANT AREA FOOD BANK, CEO JULIE BUTNER, TELLS US THE GOAL OF GIVING BACK TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. “This is an emergency box line, the boxes were packed by the 136th Air National Guard. We’re planning on feeding anywhere between 1,000 to 2,000 families today. In an emergency box we try to give families enough staples to last a day, two days, three days. Depending on what we receive. We receive the food from the USDA and also from local grocers and manufactures in the area. So sometimes, we’re at the will of whatever’s being donated to us but we really try to think strategically about the box, what were putting in it, and trying to make it last for a family of four for a couple of days.” THE THREE VARIETIES OF BOXES INCLUDE FRESH PRODUCE, SHELF STABLE ITEMS AND FROZEN GOODS. TARRENT AREA FOOD BANK, AGENCY SERVICES COORDINATOR, TIFFANY TRAYLOR AND DIRECTOR OF MAJOR GIFTS, MEGAN SMOCK, SHARE HOW ALL ITEMS ARE DESIGNED TO GIVE FAMILIES A VARIETY OF FOOD. “This is one of our shelf stable boxes so we have a lot of product that would be able to be kept on a shelf. The families get typically one box, it's good for a family of four. If you have a larger family then you're able to get more." "This is a good hardy box of protein for our clients today. It has a five pound bag of chicken and then four frozen meals that they can use throughout the week or the month. it's nice that its frozen because it'll keep for however long they need it. This is a great distribution because they're getting such a variety of food today, it's not just protein, not just veggies, not just canned food. So it'll last them for a long time." EACH FOOD RUN IS DESIGNED TO SERVE RESIDENTS IN THE DFW AREA WHO ARE IN NEED OF FOOD ASSISTANCE OR WHOSE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD HAS BEEN AFFECTED. GUARDSMEN CONTINUE TO WORK WITH LOCAL PARTNERS TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 REPORTING FROM FORT WORTH FOR THE TEXAS MILITARY DEPARTMENT, I’M AIRMEN FIRST CLASS CHARISSA MENKEN.

Several 136th Airlift Wing agencies offer Citizen Airmen a helping hand in various areas of both their personal and professional lives September 23, 2020, at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. (Texas Air National Guard video by Airman 1st Class Laura Weaver)

Texas Air National Guard Brigadier General Thomas M. Seltzer, Texas Military Department Director of Joint Staff, pins on his second star as Major General at the 136th Airlift Wing, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, January 23, 2021. General Seltzer gives thanks to family and friends as he takes on new responsibilities as Major General and celebrates his appointment by Governor of Texas, Gregg Abbott, to Deputy Adjutant General for Air.