Table of Contents
· TAG's Message
· 1-114th Returns
· Live Fire At Guantanamo
· 177th Demonstrates New System
· 108th Flies Last Joint Forge Mission
· Cadets ChalleNGe Life At Fort Dix
· B Battery, 3-112th Returns
· 50th Finance Back From Iraq
· News Guard Families Can Use
· Returning Troops Face Challenges
· Short Rounds
· Army And Air Enlisted Promotions
· Last Round: For All The New Vets
· Family Assistance Centers & Family Readiness Centers
· Guardlife Homepage

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Guardlife - Volume 31, No. 1

108th Flies Last Joint Forge Mission

By Senior Airmen Elizabeth Pritchard, 108ARW/PA

Members of the 108th Air Refueling Wing gather in a hangar at Istres Air Base for one last photo before the base closes its doors. Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Gary Ash, 774th EABG.  Click to enlargeLast December the 108th Air Refueling Wing had the honor of flying the last operational mission in Operation Joint Forge.

Wing members from the 108th deployed, under Operation Joint Forge, to Istres Air Base, France to assist in the base closure and the relocation of assets and personnel.

The United States Air Force has had a detachment assigned to a hangar in Istres
as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to direct and provide air coverage over the Balkans, but now after 11 years, their mission is finally complete. During that time, the detachment has flown approximately 6,000 missions and logged more than 34,000 flight hours.

During the base closure and flag furling ceremony there was a strong sense of friendship between the French and the Americans that had formed during the decadelong service on French soil.

The phrase "What is not finished is the friendship built between us," was voiced several times by the various guest speakers at the ceremony.

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108th Unit Receives AFOUA

The 227th Special Operations Flight, 108th Air Refueling Wing, received the 2004 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) based on meritorious service for the period of Nov 1, 2002 to Jun. 30, 2004.

"The competition was extremely keen, and each winner is commended for having been selected from an outstanding group of nominees,” stated Lt. Gen. Daniel James III, Director, Air National Guard. “The dedication and commitment of the members of these organizations enable the Air National Guard to fulfill its commitment to the missions of peacekeeping, humanitarian relief, domestic improvement, and most important of all - defense of America."

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Santa’s Team Deliver Pies

By Staff Sgt. Matt Johnson, 108ARW Enlisted CouncilPresident

The 108th Enlisted Council held a fundraiser in December, the profits of which were donated to the men and women of the Vineland Veterans Memorial Home.

Prior to the fundraiser, a vote was held to choose Santa and his two elves. The winners were Lt. Col. Rory Doolittle as Santa, with Chief Master Sgt. Marv Nichols and Staff Sgt. April Kelly as the elves. Their job was to deliver whip cream pies to
recipients of the Pie in the Face fundraiser. Individuals were brought up in front of the Wing to receive their pies from Santa. The Vineland Veterans Memorial Home received $200 from the fundraiser.