Page 2 - Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition, January 2022

2 January 2022 Desert Lightning News
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January 2021 A U.S. Air Force
crew chief en-
Snow in the desert
joys the snow
at Davis-Mon-
than Air Force
Sanding... Base, Arizona,
Jan. 26, 2021.
The last time
it snowed at
Davis-Monthan
was approxi-
mately two
years prior, so
the snow was
a surprise for
maintainers
working the
Staff Sgt. Sergio A. Gamboa flightline.
DM opens new
lodging facility
U.S. Air Force Col. Joseph
Turnham, 355th Wing com-
mander, and Daniel Baker,
Air Force Inns general
manager, cut the ceremo-
nial ribbon during the
grand opening of the new
lodging facility at Davis-
Monthan Air Force Base,
Arizona Jan. 27, 2021. The
Staff Sgt. Sergio A. Gamboa $60 million facility pro-
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 355th Equipment Maintenance vides increased capacity,
Squadron fabrication flight, sand an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Davis- modernized amenities and
Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 26, 2021. The team members replaced the existing lodg-
were sanding the paint off the aircraft to prepare for its new coating. Senior Airman Nicholas Ross ing facility.
February 2021 A-10 pilots awarded trophy for ‘most meritorious flight’
From left to right: Air Force
Military working dog demonstration Chief of Staff Gen. Charles
Q. Brown, Jr., Capt. Alexan-
der E. Boules, 354th Fighter
Squadron A-10 Thunderbolt
II pilot, and Lt. Col. Charles
C. Stretch, 355th Operations
Support Squadron command-
er, stand for a photo at Davis-
Monthan Air Force Base,
Arizona, Feb. 18, 2021. Brown
presented Boules and Stretch
with the 2019 MacKay Trophy,
for “Most Meritorious Flight,”
for a historic combat mission
Staff Sgt. Sergio A. Gamboa they flew over Afghanistan.
Black History Month Heritage Flight
Members of the 41st
Electronic Combat
Squadron “Black
Heritage Flight”
pose for a photo in
front of an EC-130
Compass Call at
Davis-Monthan Air
Force Base, Arizona,
Feb. 17, 2021. The
Staff Sgt. Sergio A. Gamboa Black History Month
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Armando Mendiola, 355th Security “Heritage Flight”
Forces Squadron military working dog handler, and Ootter, 355th SFS was an all-Black air-
MWD, perform a demonstration at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, crew from the 55th
Arizona, Feb. 16, 2021. During this scenario, Ootter was providing an Electronic Combat
extra layer of protection while Mendiola secured the area. Master Sgt. Bryan Holm Group.
Desert Lightning News January 2022 3
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Women’s History Month March 2021
Joint HAZMAT Training
From left, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Victoria Connell, Airman 1st Class Marina Rechcygl and Airmen carry equipment in a hazardous material suit during training at
Photos by Senior Airman Jacob T. Stephens
Airman 1st Class Chloe Chavers, 355th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons troops, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, March 25, 2021. Airmen from
load a munition onto an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, the 162nd and 355th Wings were trained on hazardous material identifi-
March 11, 2021. Connell, Rechcygl and Chavers made up a three-person, all-female load cation and response, ensuring their interoperability and safety as they
crew that performed a weapons load in recognition of women’s history month. execute their mission.
April 2021 Multi-Capable Airmen training Airmen carry a
simulated injured
person during
multi-capable Air-
Qualifying DM’s first ADM teams men training at
Davis-Monthan
Air Force Base,
Arizona, April 30,
2021. MCA train-
ing taught crucial
skills to Airmen
from a variety of
career fields that
will be important
downrange, in-
cluding tactical
combat casu-
alty care, team
movement, base
build-up and base
Senior Airman Jacob T. Stephens security.
DM hosts AATC
Senior Airman Jacob T. Stephens A forklift carries airdrop equipment at Davis-
An Airman observes a target during the Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, April 6,
Advanced Designated Marksmen course in 2021. The 563rd Rescue Group provided
Florence, Arizona, April 16, 2021. This was the equipment to the Air National Guard Air
the first course of its kind at Davis-Monthan Force Reserve Command Test Center C-130
and it produced four qualified ADM teams. Hercules Test Detachment from Little Rock
Being attached to an ADM team allows Air Force Base, Arkansas, in support of
members to go into high-risk areas where
operational tests on the LITENING targeting
they may have to use cover and conceal- pod, a high-resolution, multi-sensor target-
ment to track a target down or provide over ing system designed for finding, fixing and
watch support from far distances. Senior Airman Blake Gonzales targeting enemy target sets.
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Publisher ...............................................................................Paul Kinison editor at jenna@aerotechnews.com. Submission News and Review, a private firm in no way con- able for purchase, use or patronage without regard
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