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Super Wing has new General
TAG at Operation Jump Start

Photos and story by Staff Sgt. Barbara Harbison, 108ARW/PA

Michael L. Cunniff, commander of the 108th Air Refueling Wing, was promoted to Brigadier General in a ceremony was held at The Club, McGuire Air Force Base on Aug. 2.

The Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, read the oath of office to the new general. Gen. Rieth was assisted by Cunniff’s wife, Diane, pinning on the new rank. Daughters, Alecia and Lauren, and son, Christopher, pinned the star on his cap and put the epaulettes on his shirt. The 108th Honor Guard posted the colors and brought the general his new one star flag. Wing members, Master Sgt. Rafael Jimenez and Tech. Sgt. Lisel White sang the national anthem. The General is responsible for two flying units, the 141st Air Refueling Squadron, and the 150th Air Refueling Squadron, flying the KC-135E Stratotanker and he supports the 227th Special Operations Flight, flying the C- 32B. Cunniff commands 19 support units with more than 1,300 members. The 108th Air Refueling Wing is a reserve component of the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command and one of only three “super tanker wings” in the Air National Guard.

His military education includes Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College and Air War College. After receiving his commission from the Academy of Military Science at McGhee Tyson Airport, Tenn., General Cunniff received his pilot’s wings at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., in 1983. After attending F4-D training, he joined the 108th Tactical Fighter Wing at McGuire Air Force Base. When the 108th ARW transitioned to the KC-135E, the General attended Combat Crew Training School at Castle Air Force Base, Calif. Upon his return, Cunniff served as the 108th Operations Group commander, instructor and evaluator pilot, chief of training, the 150th Air Refueling Squadron operations officer, aircraft maintenance officer, flying safety officer, range control officer and exercise evaluation team chief.

Members of the Air and Army Guard, retired 108th and Air Guard personnel along with members of Gen. Cunniff’s family attended the ceremony.


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Volume 33 Number 3 Staff / Information
     
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