From Chile to Tucson, and back again

First Lt. Cristobal Desmaras, left, a Chilean Air Force exchange officer, monitors maintenance operations on the 162nd Fighter Wing flightline from the wing’s maintenance operations center with Senior Master Sgt. Bill Peterson. The lieutenant spent two years with the Arizona Air Guard unit to learn F-16 maintenance practices. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

From Chile to Tucson, and back again

Staff Sgt. Bryon Best, left, an F-16 crew chief assigned to the 162nd Fighter Wing in Tucson, goes over maintenance issues with Chilean Air Force exchange officer 1st Lt. Cristobal Desmaras. The lieutenant spent two years with the Arizona Air Guard unit to learn F-16 maintenance practices. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

"Bring a Buddy to Drill"

"Bring a Buddy to Drill” participants stand in awe before an F-16 jet engine in the hush house prior to an engine test demonstration, March 7. The success of the recruiting event hinges on wing members inviting friends and family to see what the Guard is like. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

Recruiters bring home the gold

Master Sgt. Johnny Martinez, Air Guard recruiter, gives a base tour to potential recruits. The base tour is one of many tactics recruiters use to generate interest in joining the 162nd Fighter Wing. Sergeant Martinez and all of the other recruiters for the 162nd are wearing the Recruiters Gold Badge for exceeding their recruiting goals by 125 percent. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

162nd Fighter Wing Change of Command

Col. Greg Stroud (center) assumes command of the 162nd Fighter Wing with a symbolic passing of the flag from Brig. Gen. Michael Colangelo, Arizona Air National Guard commander, March 7. The former 162nd commander, Maj. Gen. Rick Moisio (right), pinned on his second star at the conclusion of the ceremony and will move to his next post as the deputy director of the Air National Guard. (Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Sarah Elliott)

Tucson Light: William G. Valenzuela Legacy Award

Bill Valenzuela, right, embraces friend and colleague Jack Camper at the banquet held in Valenzuelas honor. Camper presented a copper plaque from Tucson Mayor Robert Walkup. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

162nd Medical Group's growing mission

The 162nd Fighter Wing’s medical group will deploy to Jamaica in April in support of an Air Forces Southern humanitarian mission. These children and their families, living in a small rural village, will benefit from Air Guard medical expertise. (Courtesy photo)

Pilot’s fini flight raises funds for Guard families

Lt. Col. Bruce Patch, an F-16 pilot, gets hosed down on the flightline by Staff Sgt. Annie Jaramillo after his fini flight here Feb. 12. When Colonel Patch announced his fini flight to friends and co-workers weeks prior, a flood of volunteers came forward for the honor of drenching him. In turn, he raffled the opportunity among wing members at $1 per ticket to benefit the 162nd Fighter Wing Family Readiness Group. The raffle raised more than $100 to benefit Guard families. “I was hoping this raffle would become a tradition among pilots who retire from the 162nd. It’s for a good cause,” said Colonel Patch. He and his wife Tracy will move to Denver, Colo., where he will assume a position as a quality manager with the Veteran’s Administration’s Health Administration Center heading a Lean process. (Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Dave Neve)

Chief chefs

(From left to right) Chief Master Sgts. Russell Sullivan, Nikki Uremovich and George Silvas grill steaks in front of the Desert Rose Dining Facility for the wing’s annual Steak Fry event, Feb. 7. (Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Sara Elliott)

Steak Fry serves 947 Airmen, retirees

Col. Jose Salinas, 162nd Fighter Wing vice commander, serves a steak to Airman Laryssa Morales, Feb. 7, at the wing’s annual Steak Fry event for Airmen and retirees. The Steak Fry is paid for with donations from officers and senior enlisted members and brings the entire wing family together to share a lunch. (Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Sara Elliott)

Wing annual awards honors best of the best

Senior Airman Brian Henry (right) is presented the 162nd Fighter Wing Airman of the Year Award Feb. 7 by Col. Greg Stroud, 162nd Fighter Wing acting commander while Maj. Gen. Hugo Salazar, Arizona Adjutant General, and Brig. Gen. Michael Colangelo, Arizona Air National Guard commander, wait to offer their congratulations. (Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Dave Neve)

Bring a buddy to March training assembly

New 162nd Fighter Wing recruits, Vanessa Ferreira and Marie Ann Camara, are sworn in by Lt. Col. Michael Knutson at the base recruiting office. Both Airmen are non-prior service recruits. The recruiting office aims to ensure that at least 30 percent of all recruits are non-prior service. (Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. (ret.) Ira Zarin)