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  • Members of the 552nd Air Control Wing’s Operations Group participated in a base retreat ceremony on Nov. 3. Led by 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Kristen D. Thompson, the 24-member group stood at attention as the flag was lowered and folded by the Tinker Honor Guard. (Air Force photo by Kelly White/Released)

    Honoring the flag

  • Master Sgt. James Gasaway, an air reserve technician assigned to the 513th Maintenance Squadron, shows off equipment in the fabricator section to Brig. Gen. David Hicks, the vice commander for 1st Air Force, on Sept. 29 during a brief visit to Tinker Air Force Base. General Hicks toured the 552nd Air Control Wing and 513th Air Control Group to thank Airmen for their efforts in homeland defense and counter-drug operations. (Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Caleb Wanzer/Released)

    Showcasing Tinker

  • Master Sgt. James Gasaway, an air reserve technician assigned to the 513th Maintenance Squadron, shows off equipment in the fabricator section to Brig. Gen. David Hicks, the vice commander for 1st Air Force, on Sept. 29 during a brief visit to Tinker Air Force Base. General Hicks toured the 552nd Air Control Wing and 513th Air Control Group to thank Airmen for their efforts in homeland defense and counter-drug operations. (Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Caleb Wanzer/Released)

    Photo: Showcasing Tinker

  • AWACS tragedy spurred safety improvements

    "Lot of birds here ... We took one! We took two of them," called out Capt. Glenn Rogers Jr., aircraft commander, over the radio. "Elmendorf tower, Yukla two-seven heavy has an emergency ... lost number two engine we've taken some birds."On Sept. 22, 1995, an E-3B Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System, call sign Yukla 27, crashed, killing all
  • Linda DeFrancesco, mother of Senior Airman Lawrence DeFrancesco, places her hands on a plaque with her son’s name on it during a quiet moment before a ceremony at the Yukla 27 memorial. American and Canadian airmen assigned to the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron, distinguished guests, and surviving family members of the crew of the E-3B Sentry, Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft, call sign Yukla 27, gathered for 20th anniversary memorial ceremonies on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Tuesday. On Elmendorf Air Force Base, Sept. 22, 1995, Yukla 27 from the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron encountered a flock of geese and crashed shortly after takeoff on a routine surveillance training sortie, killing all 24 U.S. and Canadian Airmen aboard. (U.S. Air Force photos/Justin Connaher)

    Families mark 20 years since tragic loss of AWACS crew

    Friday, Sept. 22, 1995 started out peaceful enough. Overcast skies were giving way to the heat of the sun, taking with them the last testimony of rain from the night before. Scattered clouds ranged from 5,000 to 20,000 feet, and visibility was 15 miles.For Elmendorf Air Force Base flightline personnel, it was to be a light work day; the F-15 Eagle
  • During a Sept. 22 ceremony, Col. David Gaedecke, 552nd Air Control Wing commander, receives a wreath from a member of Tinker’s Honor Guard to place at the foot of the Yukla 27 Memorial. Assisting with the wreath laying are, from left, retired Master Sgt. Ken Lybolt, who was the crew chief for the Yukla; retired Col. Wylie Koiner, former 552nd ACW commander; and Lt. Col. Don “Boc” Saunders, Canadian Detachment commander. The ceremony marked the 20th anniversary of “Yukla two-seven” crashing 42 seconds after takeoff at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, killing all 24 crew members onboard. (Air Force photo by Kelly White/Released)

    'Yukla two-seven' Airmen remembered on 20th anniversary of crash

    The 24 U.S. and Canadian Airmen who lost their lives two decades ago did not die in vain and honorably inspire members of "America's Wing" today,  the 552nd Air Control Wing commander said Tuesday."They gave their lives for us," Col. David Gaedecke said to approximately 450 people gathered for the 20th anniversary of the E-3 Sentry crash at
  • Canadian Consul General Sara Wilshaw, right, receives a tour of an E-3 “Sentry” Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft by Lt. Col. Donald Saunders, 552nd Air Control Wing Canadian Detachment commander, left, and Col. David Gaedecke, 552nd ACW commander, shortly after her arrival to the base here Monday afternoon. During her brief visit, Ms. Wilshaw also presented the Canadian Forces Decoration for longevity to Maj. Mike Wiseman and Capt. Jennifer Campbell, and participated in a roundtable discussion with about 30 members of the Canadian Detachment. The decoration is awarded to members of the Canadian Forces who have completed 12 years of service. Ms. Wilshaw serves as the Consul General of Canada to the South Central United States, which is based in Dallas and consists of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. In a message from the Consul General, Ms. Wilshaw said, “We defend North America together. At Tinker Air Force Base, 43 members of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Army form the Canadian Component. For 35 years, Canadians have been an integral part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s [AWACS] program, deploying in North American skies and around the globe. And, we’re building North America’s energy security together.” (Air Force photo by Darren D. Heusel/Released)

    PHOTO: Canadian connection

  • Col. Brian Humphrey thanks numerous friends, family members, co-workers and mentors during his Sept. 11 retirement ceremony. Col. Bradley Bird will succeed Colonel Humphrey as the 552nd Air Control Wing’s vice commander. (Air Force photo by Kelly White/Released)

    Hundreds attend Col. Humphrey’s retirement ceremony

    More than 400 people attended a hangar retirement ceremony Sept. 11 honoring the 25-year career of Col. Brian A. Humphrey, vice commander of the 552nd Air Control Wing.Featured speaker Col. John J. Cooper, commander of the 461st Air Control Wing, Robins AFB, Ga., called Colonel Humphrey an "eager, aggressive and responsible leader" with uncommonly
  • Maintenance Airmen from the 513th Air Control Group wait for an E-3C Sentry to complete shutdown procedures Aug. 24 after completing a training mission at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, Calif. The 513th maintenance reservists accompany every off-station training mission to provide routine checks as well as repairs if needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Caleb Wanzer)

    513th Air Control Group flies in Joint Task Force Exercise

    Reservists from the 513th Air Control Group returned last week from Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, where they provided Airborne Warning and Control System support to the Navy's Joint Task Force Exercise off the coast of Southern California.The exercise, led by the Navy's 3rd Fleet, served as an evaluation of Carrier Strike Group 3's
  • Maj. Christian Backhaus addresses the crowd for the first time after assuming command of the 552nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron in a ceremony Monday in Bldg. 230, Dock 2. Major Backhaus replaces Lt. Col. Ronald Llantada, who recently took over as deputy commander for the 461st Maintenance Group at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. Major Backhaus previously served as commander of the 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. Col. Andre Kennedy, 552nd Maintenance Group commander, presided over the ceremony attended by a host of family, friends and co-workers. (Air Force photo by Darren D. Heusel/Released)

    Major Backhaus assumes command of 552nd AMXS

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