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Flying Razorbacks lookback: 188th Fighter Wing 2013 year in review

  • Published
  • By 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  It was a busy year in 2013 for the 188th Fighter Wing. From an on-going mission conversion to deployments, homecomings and training exercises, 2013 featured nonstop change and progress for the Flying Razorbacks.

The 188th celebrated its 60th anniversary and is currently engaged in the most complex mission conversion in unit history. The 188th Security Forces Squadron deployed 15 Airmen to the Middle East and other squadrons sent countless Airmen overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. There were promotions, changes of command, national-level award winners and a visit to the 188th by the chief of staff of the Air Force and the director of the Air National Guard.

The 188th Public Affairs Office labored diligently to catalog the highlights from one of the most tumultuous and action-packed years in unit history. The timeline below features several key dates in 2013 that join an already proud legacy. The accompanying imagery captures the essence of 2013 and many of the accomplishments and happenstance that the 188th both enjoyed and endured.

2013 year in review
January 2013 - Larry Sterling of the 188th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron is promoted to chief master sergeant.

Jan. 17-18, 2013 -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Director of the Air National Guard Lt. Gen. Harry "Bud" Wyatt visited the 188th to tour the wing's facilities and received a tour of the base and Razorback Range. U.S. Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., then-ranking member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee; U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark.; U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark.; U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers; and U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Dardanelle, were all present during a meeting with Welsh, Wyatt and 188th and Arkansas National Guard state leadership as part of this visit.

February 2013 -- Col. Mark Anderson, 188th wing commander, says the 188th will receive targeting and intelligence missions in addition to the MQ-9 Reaper RPA mission.

April 7, 2013 -- 188th Command Chief Master Sgt. Asa Carter assumes responsibilities of Arkansas Air National Guard state command chief from Command Chief Master Sgt. Steve Arnold during a ceremony at the 189th Airlift Wing, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

May 12, 2013 - Thirteen members of the 188th Security Forces Squadron left for a six-month deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While deployed, most members were attached to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, supporting installation and aircraft security.

June 2013 - Brian Burger, 188th Operations Group commander, is promoted to colonel.

July 16, 2013 -- Lt. Col. Anderson Neal, Jr., 188th Maintenance Group commander, was presented with the 2013 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Roy Wilkins Renown Service Award at the organization's annual convention held in Orlando, Fla. This is a national level award.

Sept. 8, 2013 -- Col. Paul Norris relinquishes command of the 188th Medical Group to Lt. Col. Misty Zelk.

Sept. 8, 2013 - Maj. Douglass Smutnick is recognized at a commander's call for earning an Air Force Combat Action Medal. Smutnick, an A-10 pilot, was just the second 188th Airmen to earn the AFCAM. He earned the medal for his actions during a troops-in-contact mission near Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan on July 4, 2012.

Sept. 8, 2013 -- Maj. James T. Garvey of the 188th Fighter Wing recognized at a commander's call for winning the National Guard Association of the United States Theodore Roosevelt Company Grade Officer of the Year Award for his efforts from April 2012 to April 2013. Garvey, who was a CGO during the award period, was one of only five CGOs in the nation to earn this national-level accolade, which was announced in late September at the national NGAUS convention in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Sept. 10, 2013 -- The first two A-10s (Tail Nos. 0644 and 0614) depart the 188th for Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Ga.

Sept. 21, 2013 -- Maj. James T. Garvey becomes commander of the 188th Force Support Squadron, replacing Lt. Col. Scott Langdon.

Sept. 21, 2013 - Capt. Kim Sosebee, former 188th Maintenance Operations Flight commander, takes over as 188th Maintenance Squadron commander, replacing Maj. James T. Garvey.

Oct. 1, 2013 -- The 188th's new space-focused targeting squadron manning document becomes live as part of the 188th Fighter Wing's on-going conversion from a fighter mission to an Intelligence, Reconnaissance and Surveillance (ISR)/remotely piloted aircraft mission. Maj. Sara Stigler is named as the first targeting squadron commander. The new squadron, which features approximately 110 Airmen, will fall under the new 188th ISR Group.

Oct. 1, 2013 -- The 188th Operations Support Flight is redesignated as the 188th Operations Support Squadron. Lt. Col. Marty Dahlem is the first 188th OSS commander.

Oct. 15, 2013 -- The 188th marks its 60th anniversary.

Nov. 2, 2013 -- 188th hosts 60th anniversary celebration in its main hangar. The event was attended by more than 1,000 Airmen, former unit members, civic leaders and Arkansas Congressional delegation. The festivities featured Chaplain Brig. Gen. (Ret.) H.D. McCarty, a former 188th member, as the guest speaker. McCarty was the wing's chaplain from 1976-1984. The emcee of the event was local CBS affiliate KFSM 5NEWS meteorologist Garrett Lewis. Attendants also enjoyed a screening of the unit's "60 Years of Excellence" documentary, a short, 12-minute film showcasing the unit's highlights over the past six decades. Col. Mark Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing commander, provided a Power Point mission conversion update brief.

Nov. 2, 2013 - The 188th recognized the 188th Fighter Wing/Fort Chaffee Community Council's Executive Steering Committee, which was presented with the National Guard Association of the United States' Patrick Henry Award. Dr. Jerry Stewart, president of the council, accepted the national-level award on behalf of the group at the 188th's 60th anniversary celebration in the wing's main hangar. Lt. Col. (ret.) Kenny Moix, executive director of the National Guard Association of Arkansas, was on hand to present the award along with Col. Mark W. Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing commander.

Nov. 6, 2013 -- Second pair of A-10s (Tail Nos. 0616 and 0642) depart 188th for Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Ga.

Nov. 27, 2013 -- Thirteen Airmen with the 188th Security Forces Squadron returned from a six-month deployment to the Middle East just in time to spend Thanksgiving with their families.

Dec. 9, 2013 - Bryan Peters of the 188th Force Support Squadron is promoted to chief master sergeant.

Dec. 10, 2013 -- The 188th Fighter Wing's mission conversion continues as two more A-10C
Thunderbolt II "Warthogs" depart Fort Smith Ark., for a new home. Tail Nos. 0659 and 0626 left for the Indiana Air National Guard's 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne as part of the188th's on-going conversion.

Dec. 11, 2013 - Two more A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthogs" departed the 188th's Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Fort Smith, Ark., as part of the wing's on-going mission conversion. Tail Nos. 0630 and 0166 were transferred to Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Dec. 12, 2013.


Flying Razorbacks lookback: 188th Fighter Wing 2013 year in review

  • Published
  • By 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT SMITH, Ark. --  It was a busy year in 2013 for the 188th Fighter Wing. From an on-going mission conversion to deployments, homecomings and training exercises, 2013 featured nonstop change and progress for the Flying Razorbacks.

The 188th celebrated its 60th anniversary and is currently engaged in the most complex mission conversion in unit history. The 188th Security Forces Squadron deployed 15 Airmen to the Middle East and other squadrons sent countless Airmen overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. There were promotions, changes of command, national-level award winners and a visit to the 188th by the chief of staff of the Air Force and the director of the Air National Guard.

The 188th Public Affairs Office labored diligently to catalog the highlights from one of the most tumultuous and action-packed years in unit history. The timeline below features several key dates in 2013 that join an already proud legacy. The accompanying imagery captures the essence of 2013 and many of the accomplishments and happenstance that the 188th both enjoyed and endured.

2013 year in review
January 2013 - Larry Sterling of the 188th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron is promoted to chief master sergeant.

Jan. 17-18, 2013 -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Director of the Air National Guard Lt. Gen. Harry "Bud" Wyatt visited the 188th to tour the wing's facilities and received a tour of the base and Razorback Range. U.S. Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., then-ranking member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee; U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark.; U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark.; U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers; and U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Dardanelle, were all present during a meeting with Welsh, Wyatt and 188th and Arkansas National Guard state leadership as part of this visit.

February 2013 -- Col. Mark Anderson, 188th wing commander, says the 188th will receive targeting and intelligence missions in addition to the MQ-9 Reaper RPA mission.

April 7, 2013 -- 188th Command Chief Master Sgt. Asa Carter assumes responsibilities of Arkansas Air National Guard state command chief from Command Chief Master Sgt. Steve Arnold during a ceremony at the 189th Airlift Wing, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

May 12, 2013 - Thirteen members of the 188th Security Forces Squadron left for a six-month deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While deployed, most members were attached to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, supporting installation and aircraft security.

June 2013 - Brian Burger, 188th Operations Group commander, is promoted to colonel.

July 16, 2013 -- Lt. Col. Anderson Neal, Jr., 188th Maintenance Group commander, was presented with the 2013 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Roy Wilkins Renown Service Award at the organization's annual convention held in Orlando, Fla. This is a national level award.

Sept. 8, 2013 -- Col. Paul Norris relinquishes command of the 188th Medical Group to Lt. Col. Misty Zelk.

Sept. 8, 2013 - Maj. Douglass Smutnick is recognized at a commander's call for earning an Air Force Combat Action Medal. Smutnick, an A-10 pilot, was just the second 188th Airmen to earn the AFCAM. He earned the medal for his actions during a troops-in-contact mission near Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan on July 4, 2012.

Sept. 8, 2013 -- Maj. James T. Garvey of the 188th Fighter Wing recognized at a commander's call for winning the National Guard Association of the United States Theodore Roosevelt Company Grade Officer of the Year Award for his efforts from April 2012 to April 2013. Garvey, who was a CGO during the award period, was one of only five CGOs in the nation to earn this national-level accolade, which was announced in late September at the national NGAUS convention in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Sept. 10, 2013 -- The first two A-10s (Tail Nos. 0644 and 0614) depart the 188th for Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Ga.

Sept. 21, 2013 -- Maj. James T. Garvey becomes commander of the 188th Force Support Squadron, replacing Lt. Col. Scott Langdon.

Sept. 21, 2013 - Capt. Kim Sosebee, former 188th Maintenance Operations Flight commander, takes over as 188th Maintenance Squadron commander, replacing Maj. James T. Garvey.

Oct. 1, 2013 -- The 188th's new space-focused targeting squadron manning document becomes live as part of the 188th Fighter Wing's on-going conversion from a fighter mission to an Intelligence, Reconnaissance and Surveillance (ISR)/remotely piloted aircraft mission. Maj. Sara Stigler is named as the first targeting squadron commander. The new squadron, which features approximately 110 Airmen, will fall under the new 188th ISR Group.

Oct. 1, 2013 -- The 188th Operations Support Flight is redesignated as the 188th Operations Support Squadron. Lt. Col. Marty Dahlem is the first 188th OSS commander.

Oct. 15, 2013 -- The 188th marks its 60th anniversary.

Nov. 2, 2013 -- 188th hosts 60th anniversary celebration in its main hangar. The event was attended by more than 1,000 Airmen, former unit members, civic leaders and Arkansas Congressional delegation. The festivities featured Chaplain Brig. Gen. (Ret.) H.D. McCarty, a former 188th member, as the guest speaker. McCarty was the wing's chaplain from 1976-1984. The emcee of the event was local CBS affiliate KFSM 5NEWS meteorologist Garrett Lewis. Attendants also enjoyed a screening of the unit's "60 Years of Excellence" documentary, a short, 12-minute film showcasing the unit's highlights over the past six decades. Col. Mark Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing commander, provided a Power Point mission conversion update brief.

Nov. 2, 2013 - The 188th recognized the 188th Fighter Wing/Fort Chaffee Community Council's Executive Steering Committee, which was presented with the National Guard Association of the United States' Patrick Henry Award. Dr. Jerry Stewart, president of the council, accepted the national-level award on behalf of the group at the 188th's 60th anniversary celebration in the wing's main hangar. Lt. Col. (ret.) Kenny Moix, executive director of the National Guard Association of Arkansas, was on hand to present the award along with Col. Mark W. Anderson, 188th Fighter Wing commander.

Nov. 6, 2013 -- Second pair of A-10s (Tail Nos. 0616 and 0642) depart 188th for Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Ga.

Nov. 27, 2013 -- Thirteen Airmen with the 188th Security Forces Squadron returned from a six-month deployment to the Middle East just in time to spend Thanksgiving with their families.

Dec. 9, 2013 - Bryan Peters of the 188th Force Support Squadron is promoted to chief master sergeant.

Dec. 10, 2013 -- The 188th Fighter Wing's mission conversion continues as two more A-10C
Thunderbolt II "Warthogs" depart Fort Smith Ark., for a new home. Tail Nos. 0659 and 0626 left for the Indiana Air National Guard's 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne as part of the188th's on-going conversion.

Dec. 11, 2013 - Two more A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthogs" departed the 188th's Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Fort Smith, Ark., as part of the wing's on-going mission conversion. Tail Nos. 0630 and 0166 were transferred to Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Dec. 12, 2013.