Page 8 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, January 8, 2021

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Air Force chief of staff installed DOD activates MQ-9s for imagery Caroline Creech passes Nellis leaders serve Christmas dinner
support in wildland fire fighting

Proclaiming himself “proud, yet humbled,” Gen. Col. Todd Dyer, 99th Air Base
Charles Q. Brown Jr., was officially installed Aug. 6 as Wing commander, serves turkey
the Air Force’s 22nd Chief of Staff, becoming the first to a Nellis family on Dec. 25.
African-American in history to lead a military service Dyer was joined by Chief Master
as its highest ranking officer. In remarks following the Sgt. Emilio Hernandez, 99th
formal “Change of Responsibility” ceremony in which ABW command chief, and his
he took over from retiring Gen. David Goldfein, the wife Mayte Hernandez, Lt. Col.
21st Chief of Staff, Brown acknowledged an array of Steve Fox, 99th Medical Support
people who influenced his life. Among them were Squadron commander, Col. Brant
his wife Sharene and his parents as well as a list of Johnson, 99th Medical Group
Air Force colleagues, including Goldfein and other commander, Maj. Gen. Chuck
“extraordinary leaders.” Yet, cognizant of the moment Corcoran, U.S. Air Warfare Center
in history, Brown also noted, “Today is possible due to commander, and his wife, Kasey
the perseverance of those who went before me serving Corcoran, along with many of
as an inspiration to me and many others. Those like Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class William Rio Rosado Air Force photograph their family members.
the Tuskegee Airmen, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., Chappie Airman 1st Class Michael, 432nd Aircraft Maintenance
James, African-American leaders across our Air Force Squadron crew chief, speaks to a pilot via walkie-
talkie before takeoff at Creech Air Force Base, Sept. 26.
and military, past and present to include today’s special Aircrews provided real-time video in an effort to map fire Creech airman transfers to U.S. Space Force
guest Mr. Ed Dwight, America’s first African American perimeters and alert first responders of the spread and
astronaut candidate,” he said. “It is due to their trials potential impact of the fires in California. At the request of On Dec. 18, a member of the 432nd Wing, Chief Master
and tribulations in breaking barriers that I can address the National Interagency Fire Center and upon approval Sgt. Michael Dixon, transferred to the U.S. Space
you today as the Air Force Chief of Staff.” Air Force photograph Courtesy photograph
by the DOD, U.S. Northern Command activated the On Dec. 18, Caroline Creech, widow of Gen. Wilbur Force. Dixon is just one of many Hunters jumping to
432nd to provide Incident Awareness and Assessment Creech, passed away. Wilbur Creech was commander answer the call of the nation’s newest military branch.
MQ-9 Reaper takes flight 57th Wing support, using the MQ-9 aircraft to aid civil authorities in of Tactical Air Command from 1978 to 1984, and Several Creech Airmen were notified of their soon-to-
be transfer to being Guardians. “It’s an honor to be
Creech Air Force Base is named for him. A devoted
California. This is the first time active-duty aircraft from
with 8 Hellfire missiles earns 14th the 432nd have supported in a Defense Support of Civil wife and supporter of her husband and the Air Force, selected among various AFSCs and ranks, and to have
the honor to represent the newest branch is a really
she dedicated herself to improve the quality of life for
Authorities capacity. Operating in strict accordance with
cool feeling; to be able to help shape the future of what
Outstanding all federal laws and governmental policies, the MQ-9 spouses at every base they were assigned. Caroline Air Force photograph thing,” said Dixon.
it’s going to look like for the Space Force is an amazing
will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery next
aircrews were able to provide real-time video to map fire
to her husband.
perimeters and alert first responders of the spread and
Unit Award potential impact of the fires, proximity to infrastructure
or buildings, and containment.
For the 14th time in its history, Air Combat Command
officials announced the 57th Wing, led by Brig. Gen.
Michael R. Drowley, as among the very best, as it earned 24th TASS inactivates, leaving mark on
the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for the period of joint integration, close air support training
June 1, 2019, to May 31, 2020. In a message to all wing
personnel, Drowley declared, “I want to thank each of
you for your hard work and commitment to our mission,
as the Air Force’s premier advanced training wing and
congratulate you on your successes. Your commitment
and work ethic are second to none, and the evidence of
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Haley Stevens
An MQ-9A Reaper assigned to the 556th Test and your impact on the nation’s combat readiness cannot be
Evaluation Squadron sits on the ramp at Creech carrying highlighted enough,” he added. “Train - Instruct - Lead,”
eight Hellfire missiles Sept. 10. This was the first flight is the mission statement of the 57th, the United States Air
test of the MQ-9 carrying eight Hellfire missiles. This Force’s most diverse wing, as it continues to perform an
new capability is part of the MQ-9 Operational Flight extremely vital role in ensuring the success of Air Force
Program 2409, a software upgrade set to field by the objectives. Its vision is “America’s Airmen prepared to
end of calendar year 2020. Previous to this software, the lead, fight and win our nation’s wars.” Wing personnel
Reaper was limited to four AGM-114s across two stations. provide advanced air and space training to Air Force, joint
The new software allows flexibility to load the Hellfire on and coalition warfighters while managing the fast-paced
stations that previously were reserved for 500 lb. class and demanding flying operations at Nellis Air Force Base.
bombs or fuel tanks.

Nellis celebrates newest

U.S. Air Force Weapons Air Force photograph by Tech. Sgt. Alexandre Montes
School grads Two F-16 Fighting Falcons navigated by Airmen assigned
to the 24th Tactical Air Support Squadron taxi in after
Gen. Jeff Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe their fini flight prior to the inactivation ceremony of
and Air Forces Africa commander, addresses the 24th TASS at Nellis. The 24th Tactical Air Support
graduates during the U.S. Air Force Weapons Squadron was inactivated during a Dec. 23 ceremony.
School graduation at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., The inactivation is part of an overall Air Force strategy to
Dec. 10, 2020. Harrigian graduated from the reactivate the 65th Aggressor Squadron. The Air Force is
USAFWS in 1995 and today is responsible for repurposing the F-16s assigned to the close air support-
the air and missile defense of 29 NATO alliance focused 24th TASS and moving them to an aggressor role
member nations, while commanding U.S. as part of the 65th AGRS, to enhance air-to-air training
airpower across more than 19 million square and provide adversary aircraft that will better replicate
miles. Air Force photograph by Airman 1st Class Dwane R. Young peer adversary military forces.