Selfridge members lend helping hand to Liberators

  • Published
  • By Maj. Bruce Messer
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office
ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. --  A Michigan Air National Guard KC-135 arrived here recently to deliver an unusual cargo package: 59 new members for the Liberator Wing. The new members of the 459th Air Refueling Wing are all former members of the 927th Air Refueling Wing, which until recently was based at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich. 

Due to recent Base Realignment and Closure action, the 927th ARW was relocated to become an associate wing with the active duty 6th AMW based at MacDill AFB, Fla. For many long-time 927th reservists, such as Master Sgt. Susan Powers, commuting to Florida each month was impractical. 

Sergeant Powers, a former 1st Sgt with the 927th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, made the decision to retire from the Air Force Reserve after spending 28 years stationed in Michigan. "I was coming up to the mandatory age limit of 60 and having the opportunity to do one more annual tour and the bonus of four Unit Training Assemblies was a nice way to end my career," she said. 

The BRAC timelines allowed the retiring members of the 927th ARW to continue to serve until Jan. 31, 2009. With an identified need for supplemental manning, the 459th ARW was selected to be the final assignment of the 59 Reservists. 

In welcoming the new unit members, 459th ARW Commander Col. Tim Cahoon stated, "I consider this a win-win for both the 459th and the former members of the 927th. We can always use highly experienced, skilled and dedicated help here at Andrews." Noting the members' retirement in the new year, Colonel Cahoon acknowledged their contributions, remarking that "it is also beneficial to the spirit of those same Reserve members to be able to fulfill another year's participation requirements while making a worthwhile contribution to the Reserve mission." 

The new Liberator wing members have been assigned in many of the wing's units, from aircraft maintenance and civil engineering to medical units and personnel. Although their time with the 459th will be limited and their Air Force careers will soon be complete, all are very grateful of this opportunity to continue to serve the Air Force Reserve with the 459th ARW.