Sept. 13, 2021

20 years later, we'll still never forget

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. — Twenty years after the September 11th terrorist attacks, members of the Western New York community gathered in front of Niagara University to remember.“The streets were covered with thick ash and the air was filled with smoke. It was an eerie feeling and one that will be planted in my mind as long as I live,” said Master Sgt Tara Wichtowski, 914th

Dec. 3, 2020

AFRC leaders hold virtual year-end commander’s call

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — Air Force Reserve Command leaders held a virtual commander’s call via social media platforms Dec. 3, 2020.

June 14, 2019

Running with faith: an Airman’s journey to redemption

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga — Standing there with a knife in hand and cold-hearted from the most devastating news of his life, Master Sgt. Brandan “Troy” Keel contemplated an irreversible decision. Looking into his wife’s eyes after learning she was pregnant with another man’s baby, he couldn’t fathom living anymore. Suicide, he thought, was imminent.

April 30, 2018

“… Nothing worth having comes easily…”

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, California — After serving more than eight years as an enlisted member of the Air Force Reserve, Vesper M. Yasaharda took off her technical sergeant stripes to begin her journey as an officer. She graduated Air Force Officer Training School March 16, 2018, and pinned on the rank of second lieutenant. “I had always toyed with commissioning from the time I joined

April 12, 2018

“Summer”time starts at the 13th RS

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, California — Summer and Sunshine stood brightly onstage while rain poured outside the Valley Chapel. As Lt. Col. Karyn L. “Sunshine” Christen relinquished command of the 13th Reconnaissance Squadron April 7, Lt. Col. Summer A. Fields stepped up with a smile to fill her shoes. Col. David S. Edwards presided over the squadron’s change of command ceremony. He is

Feb. 28, 2018

“… Saw it as a way out…”

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, California — Promoting to chief master sergeant was an indescribable moment for Martez D. Banks, 940th Operations Group superintendent. He felt fortunate to accept such a trusted position, however, he never planned to climb so high up the ranks.“It wasn’t a relief,” he said, explaining how pinning on chief was never his goal. “It wasn’t like ‘I’ve

Feb. 14, 2018

Spouses get first-hand look at refueling

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, California — Thirteen husbands and wives of 940th Air Refueling Wing Reserve Citizen Airmen flew on KC-135 Stratotankers to watch air-to-air refueling Feb. 10.    It was the first spouse flight for the 314th Air Refueling Squadron since the wing’s re-designation to the tanker mission in 2016. The tankers, belonging to the 314 ARS at Beale Air Force Base,

Oct. 20, 2017

“…‘Til they can’t walk anymore …”

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, California — “My uncle used to scare my siblings and me when we were younger every Halloween. He would always buy these unique, limited edition-type masks and come out when we weren’t expecting it. One of my favorite Halloween memories was the time I got him back. I put on the wolf mask I had for my costume, hid in my grandparent’s basement and waited for my

July 28, 2017

AFRC senior leaders visit Reserve Citizen Airmen

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, California — Lt. Gen. Maryanne Miller, Air Force Reserve Command commander and Chief of the Air Force Reserve, and Chief Master Sgt. Ericka Kelly, AFRC command chief, spent the weekend of July 14-16 visiting with Reserve Citizen Airmen at Beale Air Force Base, California.  It was their first trip to Beale as commander and command chief, and the first AFRC

July 25, 2017

August Citizen Airman Magazine is online

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — The August issue of Citizen Airman magazine is available on the web at http://www.citamn.afrc.af.mil/.