A Moment Of Gratitude

Wisconsin Air National Guardsman, Master Sgt. Tony Karwacki, shares a few words of respect and appreciation with retired Air Force Captain Guy Gruters following Gruters’ presentation at Milwaukee’s 128th Air Refueling Wing Thurs., April 25 2013. Gruters, a Vietnam War prisoner of war who spent more than five years in an enemy prison camp, shared with the Airmen his story of courage and endurance in an enemy prison camp. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Nathan Wallin/Released)

Standing Ovation

Capt. Guy Gruters, seated at center, receives a standing ovation from (from left) Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Maj. Gen. Donald P. Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, Brig. Gen. Gary L. Ebben assistant adjutant general for Air and Command Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Cullen following his address at Milwaukee’s 128th Air Refueling Wing Thurs., April 25 2013. Gruters, a Vietnam War prisoner of war, spent more than five years in an enemy prison camp. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Nathan Wallin/Released)

The Sijan Heritage

Janine Sijan Rozina, sister of Air Force Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Lance Sijan, speaks to an assembly of Wisconsin Air National Guardsmen at Sijan Hall at the 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee, Thurs., April 25 2013. Sijan spoke of her brother’s heroism as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War and told the Airmen “you have a lot in common with him.” (U.S. Air National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Nathan Wallin/Released)

Greeting The Governor

Janine Sijan Rozina greets Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker in Sijan Hall at Milwaukee’s 128th Air Refueling Wing Thurs., April 25 2013 as 128th Wing Commander, Col. Ted Metzgar, looks on. Walker and Sijan, sister of Air Force Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Lance Sijan, were at the Air National Guard base to listen to a presentation by Vietnam War Prisoner of War, Capt. Guy Gruters. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Nathan Wallin/Released)

Many Thanks

128th Air Refueling Wing Airman, Senior Airman Jefferson Harkleroad, waves to crowd at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee Wed., April 3, 2013. Harkleroad, who had recently returned from a deployment to Afghanistan, was honored by the Milwaukee Bucks and Waukesha Metal as part of their “Hardwood Homecoming” program and presented the official game ball the team captains prior to the start of the game. (Air National Guard Photo by 1st Lt. Nathan Wallin / Released)

Center Court

Senior Airman Jefferson Harkleroad poses for photographers with Minnesota Timberwolves team captain Jose Barea, Michael Steger of Waukesha Metal Products and Milwaukee Bucks team captain Monta Ellis at center court of the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee Wed., April 3, 2013. (Air National Guard Photo by 1st Lt. Nathan Wallin / Released)

Souvenir

Milwaukee Bucks point guard and team captain Monta Ellis autographs a souvenir basketball for Senior Airman Jefferson Harkleroad Wed., April 3, 2013 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee. Harkleroad, who had recently returned from a deployment to Afghanistan, was recognized prior to the Bucks game against the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the “Hardwood Homecoming” program. (Air National Guard Photo by 1st Lt. Nathan Wallin / Released)

"ICE"

“Ice,” the official game ball for the Milwaukee Bucks game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. SrA Jefferson Harkleroad presented “Ice” to the Bucks team captain Monta Ellis at center court as part of their “Hardwood Homecoming” program Wed., April 3, 2013 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee. Harkleroad, an Air Force electrician serving in the Civil Engineering Squadron at Milwaukee’s 128th Air Refueling Wing, returned from a deployment in Afghanistan and was recognized by the crowd prior to the game. (Air National Guard Photo by 1st Lt. Nathan Wallin / Released)

Flight to the North Pole

Lauren Sharp tells Santa what is on her Christmas list at the Flight to the North Pole at the 128th Air Refueling Wing, Milwaukee, Dec. 8, 2012. Twelve families with children in the care of Children's Hospital of Wisconsin participated in the event put on by military and civilian volunteers. (Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jenna Hildebrand / released).

Great Lakes Fly-In

Brig. Gen. Omer Lavoie, commander Joint Task Force, Ontario, addresses a panel of military leaders and federal agency members during the 2012 Great Lakes Fly-In, at the 128th Air Refueling Wing, Milwaukee, Dec. 7, 2012. This meeting provides an opportunity to get those entities responsible for consequence management of the Great Lakes region together to discuss preparedness and determine if ways exist to enhance overall readiness. (Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeremy M. Wilson / released).

The Delivery

Staff Sgt. Leah Rogers winds up to deliver the ceremonial first pitch Miller Park in Milwaukee Wed., Sept. 12, 2012. Rogers, a Financial Management Specialist at the 128th Air Refueling Wing, recently returned home from an overseas deployment and was selected to represent the Wisconsin Air National Guard unit prior to the Brewers’ game against the Atlanta Braves. (Air National Guard Photo by 2nd Lt. Nathan Wallin / Released)

The Pitch

Wisconsin Air National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Leah Rogers throws out the first at Miller Park in Milwaukee Wed., Sept. 12, 2012. Rogers, a Financial Management Specialist at the 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee was selected for the honor in recognition of her recent deployment. (Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Wenzel / Released)

To The Mound

With ball in hand, Staff Sgt. Leah Rogers walks across the infield at Miller Park towards the pitcher’s mound Wed., Sept. 12, 2012. Rogers, of the 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee, was selected to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Brewers’ game against the Atlanta Braves. (Air National Guard Photo by 2nd Lt. Nathan Wallin / Released)

Major League

Staff Sgt. Leah Rogers of the 128th Air Refueling poses for a photograph moments before she threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Miller Park in Milwaukee Wed., Sept. 12, 2012. Rogers, who had recently returned from an overseas deployment, was selected to represent Wisconsin Air National Guard unit and throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Brewers’ game against the Atlanta Braves (Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Jeremy M. Wilson / Released)

Rogers and Rogers

Wisconsin Air National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Leah Rogers and her husband, Chris, pose for a photograph at the Air National Guard’s recruiting booth at Miller Park in Milwaukee Wed., Sept. 12, 2012. Chris Rogers also serves with the 128th as Quality Assurance Inspector in the Maintenance Squadron and holds the rank of technical sergeant. Rogers was at Miller Park to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Brewers’ game against the Atlanta Braves. (Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Wenzel / Released)

Greeting the first lady

First lady Michelle Obama is greeted by Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Marlin Mosley upon her arrival at the 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee Friday, Oct. 19, 2012.Obama arrived at the Wisconsin Air National Guard base prior to making appearances in Racine and Wausau. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by: Staff Sgt. Jeremy M. Wilson / Released)

Follow Me

The “Follow Me” vehicle guides a National Guard 737 carrying first lady Michelle Obama towards its parking space on the tarmac at the 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee Friday, Oct. 19, 2012.Obama arrived at the Wisconsin Air National Guard base prior to making appearances in Racine and Wausau.(U.S. Air National Guard Photo by: Staff Sgt. Jeremy M. Wilson / Released)

Meeting the Gov.

Gov. Scott Walker shakes hands with Staff Sgt. Nathan Thrun and other Airmen of the 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee after addressing the wing on the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Sept. 11, 2012. Walker was at the wing to thank the Airmen them for their dedicated service and support of the state of Wisconsin and to the United States of America. (Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Jeremy M. Wilson / Released)

Consulting the Technical Orders

Members of the 128th Air Refueling Wing's Maintenance Squadron reference their technical orders for a KC-135 Stratotanker while an Air Force Inspector evaluates them during a Compliance Inspection at the 128 ARW, Milwaukee, Sept. 8, 2012. From left, Tech. Sgt David Wincell, Senior Airman Justin Henrichs, and Master Sgt Thomas Proctor worked to complete a task assigned and evaluated by the Air Force Inspector to check the compliance with Air Force tasks, procedures, and protocols. (Air National Guard Photo by Tech. Sgt Thomas Sobczyk / Released)

Pre-inspection Briefing

An Air Force Inspector, center, delivers instructions to members of the 128th Air Refueling Wing Maintenance Squadron, Staff Sgt. George Griffin and Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Kaiser, before evaluating their performance with an assigned task on a KC-135R Stratotanker located on the 128 ARW's ramp, in Milwaukee, Sept. 8,2012. The 128 ARW was undergoing a Compliance Inspection to gauge how accurately the base follows all assigned tasks, procedures, and protocols. (Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Jeremy M. Wilson / Released)

"Follow Me"

The “Follow Me” vehicle from the 128th Air Refueling Wing, Milwaukee guides a Boeing C-32 carrying first lady Michelle Obama towards its parking space on the tarmac Aug. 23, 2012. Mrs. Obama plans to meet with family members affected by a shooting at a local Sikh temple and will also make a campaign appearance prior to her departure. (U.S. Air Force Photo by: Staff Sgt. Jeremy M. Wilson / Released)

First lady extends hand in greeting to Logistics Readiness Squadron Commander upon arriving at 128 ARW

First lady Michelle Obama extends her hand in greetings towards Lt. Col. Betsy Schoeller, Logistics Readiness Squadron Commander of the 128th Air Refueling Wing, Milwaukee Aug. 23, 2012. The first lady will meet with victims’ family members of the Sikh temple shooting and will also make a campaign appearance before departing. (U.S. Air Force Photo by: Staff Sgt. Jeremy M. Wilson / Released)

Moving into position

Two F-16 Fighting Falcons from 148th Fighter Wing out of Duluth, Min, prepare to fly in formation behind the boom of a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 128th Air Refueling Wing after being mid-air refueled on August 15, 2012. The refueling mission was part of a employer incentive flight where Air National Guardsmen nominate their civilian employer(s) to witness an air refueling mission as a measure of thanks for the support their employers give to the air national guard and the guardsmen. U.S. Air Force Photo by: Staff Sgt. Jeremy Wilson / Released)

Off the wingtip

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, Min, flies just off the wingtip of a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 128th Air Refueling Wing, Milwaukee after being midair refueled and awaits the completion of another F-16 to be refueled before returning to base while flying over Norther Wisconsin on August 15, 2012.The refueling mission was part of a employer incentive flight where Air National Guardsmen nominate their civilian employer(s) to witness an air refueling mission as a measure of thanks for the support their employers give to the air national guard and the guardsmen. (U.S. Air Force Photo by: Staff Sgt. Jeremy Wilson / Released)