HomeNews

News Search

  • Wing provides opposing forces in anti-terrorism exercise

    Airmen from the 177th Fighter Wing served as opposing forces to emergency services personnel from both the state and local community during an anti-terrorism exercise in Margate N.J., August 1.Members from the 227th Air Support Operations Squadron acted out as terrorists who had taken over a school while emergency personnel were evaluated on their
  • U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Rob Bowen, a Firefighter assigned to the 177th Civil Engineering Squadron, poses for a portrait on July 26. Bowen helped to save the life of a crash victim on July 24. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht

    177th Airman saves driver in South Harrison crash

    For Airman 1st Class Rob Bowen it had been just another relaxing afternoon July 24. He was talking to his aunt outside her house on Route 45 and Monroeville Road in South Harrison Township. Suddenly, they both heard a very loud bang."I knew from the sound of it there was an accident, so I took off running," said Bowen, who couldn't immediately see
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal non-commissioned officer in charge Master Sgt. Ed Nickel, left, pauses while loading an ANDROS F6A Explosive Ordnance Disposal robot to answer a question from Maj. Scott Hofstetter, deputy commander, 21st Civil Support Team (Weapons of Mass Destruction), New Jersey National Guard, during an exercise at the 177th Fighter Wing June 6, 2012. Airmen from the 177th along with New Jersey National Guard Soldiers and Airmen of the 21st Civil Support Team (Weapons of Mass Destruction), South Jersey Transit Authority firefighters and New Jersey State Police responded to a simulated weapons of mass destruction incident. Members of the 177th Explosive Ordnance Disposal team worked with the 21st CST in reacting to a simulated explosion on base. The 21st CST supports civil authorities by responding to a weapons of mass destruction (WMD) situation. The unit is made up of full-time New Jersey Army and Air National Guard members that have been trained and equipped to provide support to civil authorities at a domestic chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-explosive (CBRNE) incident site by identifying CBRNE agents/substances, assessing current and projected consequences and advising on response measures and assisting with appropriate requests for state support. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen

    EOD tip of the spear in WMD exercise

    In the Air Force, the only times Airmen are continuously in harm's way are when they are deployed to a combat zone.That is not the case for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams.Whether they are clearing roadside bombs in Afghanistan or responding to a request from local authorities who have found World War II ordnance on a beach, to responding
  • Airmen of the 177th Fighter Wing Maintenance Group stand at parade rest during the Change of Command ceremony April 22, 2012. Col. Kerry M. Gentry, commander of the 177th Fighter Wing and former 177th Maintenance Group commander turned over the Maintenance Group command to Col. Patrick M. Kennedy. The 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, is located at Egg Harbor Township, N.J. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen

    Kennedy to Command Maintenance

    It's all about expectations and opportunities.That's what Col. Patrick M. Kennedy, the 177th Fighter Wing's new Maintenance Group commander stressed in his speech during the Change of Command ceremony that took place in the main hangar April 22."Here's what you can expect for me; I will work to ensure every member of this organization is treated
  • U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tina Fryling from the 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, discusses her recent deployment to Afghanistan with students at Alder Middle School in Egg Harbor Township, NJ on May 23. Alder Middle school showed it's pride and patriotism by inviting military members to display work equipment and memorabilia and to share stories with students. U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht

    Alder Middle School shows military pride

    Alder Middle School in Egg Harbor Township, NJ showed its pride and patriotism by inviting local military members to display work equipment and memorabilia and to share stories with students on May 23. "They had a wonderful event set up that included the singing of patriotic songs by the school choir and then afterwards a chance to get to talk to
  • Members of the South Jersey Transportion Authority Fire Department and Atlantic County Hazmat are decontaminated for an exercise on May 10. The 177th Fighter Wing, located at Atlantic City International Airport, NJ, hosted the training with local agencies. U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht

    Wing trains with area first responders

    Emergency response Airmen from the 177th Fighter Wing joined forces with South Jersey Transit Authority and the Atlantic County Hazardous Materials units in responding to a simulated threat at the wing May 10.The responders were faced with the delivery of a simulated letter carrying anthrax spores."Having the different agencies respond and operate
  • BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan-- Airman 1st Class Jonathan Nieves and Staff Sgt. Carlo Lat open a panel on an F-16 Aircraft at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Nieves is an aircraft electrician with the 16th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. Lat is a crew chief with the 16th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. Both are deployed from the 177th Fighter Wing, NJ. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom)

    Deployed maintainers keep F-16s flying

    The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. Highly maneuverable, F-16s have proven to be very effective in both air-to-air and air-to-surface combat. To keep these critical air-power assets mission ready, the technicians of the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron provide 24-hour service to the F-16s here. Most
  • Airmen of the 332nd, from left to right: Robert W. Williams, William H. Holloman, Ronald W. Reeves, Christopher W. Newman and Walter M. Downs listen to a briefing in March 1945. Photo by Toni Frissell, Library of Congress.

    Red Tail Angels: the story of the Tuskegee Airmen

    Prior to World War II, the situation for African-American military aviators was grim.The Army Air Corps had completely barred blacks from their ranks and the other services had assigned blacks only the most menial of duties. Their reasoning was based on an Army War College study, which stated that blacks, by nature, were physically, mentally and
  • Historical photo of Tech. Sgt. William G. Willey delivering donated toys during one of the 177th Toys for Tots drives. The annual Willey award was created by the 177th Chief's Council to honor his memory by selecting a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer that demonstrated the same qualities Willey exemplified. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Terry Young, 177th Fighter Interceptor Group Visual Information)

    WwW (Who was Willey)

    Who was Master Sgt. William G. Willey?If you had asked me that question before I wrote this article, the most I could've told you was that in the display case outside the dining hall there is a ginormous trophy named after him that gets awarded each year to a unit member. That insignificant fact barely scratches the surface I was soon to find out.
  • Master Sgt Chris Taggart at Bagram AB, Afghanistan. Courtesy Photo.

    Taggart chosen top First Sergeant

    Combat seems to forge exceptional Non-Commissioned Officers at the 177th Fighter Wing.For the second time in four years, a 177th First Sergeant was chosen as the Air National Guard's First Sergeant of the Year, and like the previous recipient - Master Sgt. Daniel Mitchell Jr. - was also with the 177th Security Forces and had also served in
RSS