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California Air National Guard Wingmen share

thankful thoughts at annual Thanksgiving Meal

by Master Sgt. Julie Avey We do not always see each other throughout (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Master Sgt. Julie Avey)
163 ATKW public affairs the year, unless we are deployed together or
on orders serving in the state, due to being The 163rd Attack Wing Airmen enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal with their Wingmen
As the smell of turkey and pumpkin pie traditional Guardsmen.” during their November Unit Training Assembly. The meal, a wing annual tradi-
fills the air, and fall tablescapes are cre- tion, allows Airmen some social time to spend with their Air National Guard family.
ated, we often reflect on what we have in The SSF personnel are required to train Here, wing members pause for a photo with four members from a local catering
our lives for which we give thanks. During and be prepared to cook in civil support company who served the Thanksgiving meal this year as a way to say thank you.
this year’s annual Thanksgiving feast at the emergencies as well as overseas deploy-
163rd Attack Wing, March Air Reserve ments. The FSS members not only serve a thankful for joining the honor guard, and for to spend Thanksgiving with my family
Base, California, several Airmen took part Thanksgiving “morale” meal to the Airmen, being awarded (their) Airman-of-the-Year.” who is normally traveling all over the
in sharing a meal and telling what they are but they also are then able to train feeding states,” said Staff Sgt. Zakia Webster,
most grateful for as the holiday approaches. multiple troops at one time. “I am thankful for being able to be with 163 FSS. “I am grateful for being able
my family, most importantly my older to be in the honor guard to work in the
“This month is Thanksgiving, and what Months before this year’s morale meal brother, younger brother, sister, parents community and serve those who are less
I am really thankful for is God being in my was served, the 163 FSS Airmen had to do and other immediate family,” said Airman fortunate. I am very grateful to be a part
life, for providing me with a beautiful fam- some repairs to the building. First Class Kyle Staple, 163rd Communi- of that.”
ily, a roof on top of my head, and the Lord cations Squadron (CS). “It is a rare time
providing me the essentials in life,” said “This past July we found ourselves in our these days for families to all be together “This is my first year without my par-
Tech. Sgt. Jay Fontelera, vehicle operator own mini-flood due to heavy rain in the area, so I am thankful, and hopefully they will ents at Thanksgiving as they have decid-
and dispatcher, 163rd Logistics Readiness and we were able to clean up the damages,” bring me lots of turkey.” ed to retire and move, but I am thank-
Squadron. “I am also thankful for being in said Senior Master Sgt. Jonathan Gaygay, ful I will be spending the holidays with
this wing and for its contributions.” 163 FSS. “The building required clean-up, “I am thankful for my family, my job my little girls and husband at my sister’s
more than we anticipated. This year we were and my health,” said Senior Airman Joshua house, said Tech. Sgt. Melissa Crow,
Every year during the November Unit thankful the meal could be catered to con- Johns, 163 SFS. “Thankful for everyone de- 163 CS. “ I would like to shout out to
Training Assembly, the 163rd Force Sup- tinue the tradition.” ployed protecting us right now.” my parents (for whom) I am thankful.”
port Squadron (FSS) hosts a Thanksgiv-
ing luncheon for wing members to cel- “I am thankful for every day I wake up. I “I’m very thankful for being able
ebrate the holiday together. The 163rd think we should take advantage of life when-
Sustainment Services Flight (SSF) has ever we have the opportunity,” said Senior
been serving Thanksgiving meals during Airman Blas Garcia, 163rd Security Forces
the November drill since 2003. Squadron (SFS). “I would like to say Happy
Thanksgiving to all my brothers-in-arms
“It has become a family tradition here at and everyone overseas.”
the 163td wing because we are all family,”
said Capt. Jennifer Covington, 163 ATKW “It’s Thanksgiving this month so I would
SSF officer-in-charge. “We serve as broth- like to give thanks to my wife and my two
ers- and sisters-in-arms (and) this allows us beautiful little girls for supporting me in the
time to share special, life moments together. military,” said Senior Airman Joseph Trujil-
lo, 163rd Services Squadron. “I’m also very

USAF Military Training Instructor opportunities

by Senior Airman Joseph Dangidang

452 AMW public affairs

Military Training Instructors (MTIs) from the 433rd Training Squadron, Joint U.S. Air Force photo/Linda Welz
Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, visited March Air Reserve Base November
22, to share potential MTI opportunities with March Reservists. Chief Master Sgt. Timothy White, 452nd Air Mobility Wing command chief,
March Air Reserve Base, California, speaks with Master Sgt. Jose Rodriquez,
Master Sgt. Jose Rodriquez, training supervisor, 433 TRS, and Tech. Sgt. Ken- training supervisor, 422rd Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lack-
neth McGuane, MTI, 433 TRS, handed out informational pamphlets and dis- land, Texas, Nov. 22, prior to the wing’s quarterly commander’s call on base.
cussed job qualifications, career benefits and how to join the 433 TRS team. Rodriguez was there to share opportunities for Reservists to join the team as
Military Training Instructors.
“We are looking for more Reserve MTI’s, specifically traditional,” said Ro-
driquez. “We do have Active Guard Reserve (AGR) positions and Air Reserve when you return to your career field.”
Technician (ART) positions available.” For more information contact the 433 TRS MTI Recruiting Team at 433trs.

They shared that the MTI profession is challenging but has many great recruiting@us.af.mil.
rewards, such as enhancing leadership and supervisory skills while molding
future Airmen.

For those who are not sure if an MTI position is right for them, there is a shadow program
available that allows them to participate in the Basic Military Training (BMT) process. Air-
men who sign up for the program, shadow MTI’s for a certain amount of days during BMT,
and decide whether or not they like the program or if it is something they’d like to pursue.

“I think the shadow program is really valuable,” said McGuane. “Most people in theAir
Force have never seen BMT from this side of things, so your perception about the career
field is based on what you experienced as a trainee, which was probably really unpleasant.”

The shadow program can really be an eye-opening experience into a new career field.
“MTI’s are pushing a professional environment,” said Rodriquez. “It’s defi-
nitely worth your time to develop yourselves as NCO’s and showcase your talents