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| Photo by Senior Airman Ashley Crawford Master Sgt. John Sibula, formerly with 927th Aerospace Ground Equipment at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., is temporarily assigned to the 459th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. The Defense Base Closure and Realignment commission relocated his home unit from Selfridge ANG Base to MacDill AFB, Fla., so Sergeant Sibula elected to serve at Andrews before he retires from the Air Force Reserve. |
When a Michigan Air National Guard KC-135 arrived here recently, it delivered an unusual package to Liberator Wing - 59 new members. The 459th Air Refueling Wing's recent arrivals are all former members of Air Force Reserve Command's 927 ARW.
The Base Realignment and Closure commission directed the 927 ARW to relocate from Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., to MacDill AFB, Fla., and to become a classic associate wing with the active-duty 6 AMW.
For many long-time 927 ARW reservists, such as Master Sgt. Susan Powers, commuting to Florida each month was impractical.
Sergeant Powers, a former first sergeant with the 927th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, made the decision to retire from the Air Force Reserve after spending 28 years stationed in Michigan.
“I was coming up to the mandatory age limit of 60 and having the opportunity to do one more annual tour and the bonus of four unit training assemblies was a nice way to end my career,“ she said.
The BRAC timelines allowed the retiring members of the 927 ARW to continue to serve until Jan. 31, 2009. Since the 459 ARW needed extra manpower, it became the final assignment for the 59 reservists
“I consider this a win-win for both the 459th and the former members of the 927th,“ said Col. Tim Cahoon, 459 ARW commander, in his welcome remarks to the new unit members. “We can always use highly experienced, skilled and dedicated help here at Andrews.
“It is also beneficial to the spirit of those same Reserve members to be able to fulfill another year's participation requirements while making a worthwhile contribution to the Reserve mission,“ he said.
The new Liberator Wing members have been assigned throughout the wing's units, from aircraft maintenance and civil engineering to medical units and personnel.
Although their time with the 459 ARW will be limited and their Air Force careers will soon be complete, all of them are grateful for the chance to continue to serve the Air Force Reserve with the 459 ARW.
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