Offutt Air Force Base, Neb -- On August 30th, 2017 The 55th Wing’s Vice Wing Commander, Colonel David Berg hosted the Iowa Air National Guard (IA ANG), 132d Wing’s career information briefing team at Offutt AFB. The IA ANG Team led by Lt. Col. Todd “Freak” Miller, Lt Col Jason “Gozer” Mountain, Capt Mike Gryczka, SMSgt Jennifer Drehobl and MSgt Paul Havran coordinated the event which consisted of subject matter experts in the 132d Wing mission sets, the ANG In-Service Recruiter, and Jason Kemp, the Home Base Iowa Project Manager. The Iowa ANG team was treated to Offutt Air Force Base and 55th Wing hospitality, which included touring the 20th Intelligence Squadron, 557th Weather Wing and USSTRATCOM.
The IA ANG team provided a career informational lunch-and-learn session that consisted of discussions about transitioning to the Air National Guard and career opportunities in the IA ANG. Colonel Mark Hopson, the Nebraska Air National Guard (NE ANG) 170th Group Commander also provided information regarding career options in the NE ANG. The casual setting allowed active duty military members and their families’ to interact with their Air National Guard counterparts to become informed about different career options available to them.
We are excited about establishing a good working relationship with the 55th Wing, NE ANG, and other tenant units at Offutt AFB not only for retention purposes, but for training opportunities as well,” said Lt. Col. Miller, 124th Attack Squadron Commander. “Events like today when the 55th Wing, the NE ANG, and the IA ANG are present and engaged with the Airmen Leaders of our future is an initiative supported by Wing and State Leadership…One Team, One Fight”, furthermore, “offering opportunities for those in uniform to remain in uniform is a top retention priority for us all.”
Col. Hopson echoed Miller’s comments and encouraged Airmen to think and inquire about career options in the active duty, reserves and guard that best suit them and their families so that they may be able to continue to serve in a capacity that works for them.
Due to the positive feedback and success of this pilot program at Offutt AFB, the 132d Wing intends on returning to Offutt AFB regularly to continue to build the relationship with the 55th Wing and the Nebraska ANG. There are also plans to expand this initiative to other Midwest active duty bases in the next year.
For more information about this event or about ANG opportunities, please contact the IA ANG (MSgt Paul Havran 515-412-1907) or Nebraska ANG (MSgt Clashaud Robbins 402-294-7914) today!