The Air National Guard was, once upon a time, regarded as a sponsored high tech flying club. Events after Korea and Vietnam turned that around, and State AIr Guard bases often beat out active Air Force units in readiness, safety, retention and other important performance metrics. Why and how are shown below, in an excerpt from the 142nd Fighter Wing's Photo Gallery:
"Oregon Air National Lt. Col. Gary Thompson (third from the right)
stands with group of family and friends of Lt. Col. (ret.) Dave McKinney
(center) after his Fini Flight on Sept. 27, 2006 at the Portland Air
National Guard Base, Portland, Ore. McKinney and Thompson won the Top
Gun and Top Shooter awards at the 1988 William Tell Weapons meet at
Tyndall AFB, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Todd Enlund (ret.)
142nd Fighter Multimedia department / released) "
What's the big deal? The two Lieutenant Colonels have been flying with the Air Guard for- literally- decades. They're home boys. They know the space, the land, the planes and their Chain of Command... all like the back of their hand. They are in one place for the long haul and also know there's no ducking out of embarrassing goof-ups or charlie foxtrots.
Give it up for the Guard!
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