They’re back! Maintainers, pilots return from Balad

Master Sgt. Ben Ruiz is welcomed home by his wife and son. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots Jan. 24. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

They’re back! Maintainers, pilots return from Balad

Staff Sgt. Frank Rendon hugs a family member. Family and friends crowded the baggage claim area at Tucson International Airport to welcome home 28 aircraft maintainers and pilots. The Guardsmen volunteered for tours ranging from 8 months to 30 days in duration. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

Dutch pilots make a brief return to Tucson

Maj. Olde Bijvank, a Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 pilot, interviewes on the Operation Snowbird ramp at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base with KOLD, Channel 13, reporter J.D. Wallace about flying in Southern Arizona, Jan. 14. Major Bijvank, an instructor pilot with the Ohio Air National Guard, trained at the 162nd Fighter Wing at Tucson International Airport as a student pilot 12 years ago. He noted that the weather, ranges and the support of the Arizona Guard amount to ideal pilot training conditions here. The Dutch will train at Operation Snowbird Jan. 11-31 with Ohio’s 178th Fighter Wing to escape winter weather conditions in the north. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)

Polish F-16s at Krzesiny Air Base

Pilots from the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Fighter Wing deliver the last three F-16 "Jastrzab," or Hawks as their called, to the Polish Air Force at Krzesiny Air Base, Poland, Dec. 11, 2008. These jets represent the last of 48 aircraft Poland purchased as part of the "Peace Sky" program. Poland continues to send F-16 student pilots to the 162nd at Tucson International Airport for training. (U.S. State Department photo)

Wing commander logs final flight at 162nd

Brig. Gen. Rick Moisio, 162nd Fighter Wing commander, gets thoroughly soaked on the flightline here after his final flight, or “fini” flight, Dec. 19. The general is a command pilot with more than 30 years of experience and 6,000 flying hours mostly in fighter aircraft. He joined the 162nd in 1984 and assumed command of the unit in 2004. Following the fini flight, Guardsmen here held a farewell event for the commander who will depart the wing for another assignment in February. (Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Holly Gwaltney)

Wing commander logs final flight at 162nd

Brig. Gen. Rick Moisio, 162nd Fighter Wing commander, is hosed down by Master Sgt. Kerri Lane, Chief Master Sgt. Nikki Uremovich and Col. Jose Salinas after his final flight, or “fini” flight, here Dec. 19. The general is a command pilot with more than 30 years of experience and 6,000 flying hours mostly in fighter aircraft. He joined the 162nd in 1984 and assumed command of the unit in 2004. Following the fini flight, Guardsmen here held a farewell event for the commander who will depart the wing for another assignment in February. (Air National Guard photo by Capt. Gabe Johnson)