Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Dan Heaton | U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christopher Jones, a radio frequencies technician with the...... read more read more
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Notified that there was a concern that the jet fuel at the base’s storage facility had somehow become contaminated, Staff Sgt. Devin Houle donned a thick rubber apron, gloves and a face mask and headed out to one of the R-11 fuels trucks at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
This time, it was all a simulation, part of a four-day combat readiness inspection at the base in September, dubbed Exercise Bronco.
Houle collected a jar of jet fuel from the truck and gave it a visual inspection. If needed, the fuel could have been tested in the base’s fuel lab. The concern about the possible fuel contamination was just one of dozens of stressors that tested the 127th Wing’s ability to generate combat power under challenging conditions. Simulated chemical attacks, power outage and internet interruptions also tested the wing.
Houle has about 11 years of active duty Air Force service under his belt, so he’s been through a few challenges before. Earlier in 2025, he transitioned from the active Air Force to return home to Michigan to serve in the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard. (His brother, Brent Houle, also serves in the wing as a technical sergeant cyber security specialist in the 127th Communications Squadron.) Devin Houle’s primary reason for moving back to Michigan was because he recently enrolled as a doctoral student at the University of Michigan in the university’s physical therapist program.
“Working out in the gym in the Air Force, I just became fascinated with how the body moves and how healing can happen through movement,” Houle said.
In the 127th Wing's Communications Squadron, a radio frequency specialist found that troubleshooting problems in his career field also led him to a physical therapy school.
"You're figuring out what the challenge is and then determining the best way to overcome that challenge," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Jones, who is a student in the doctor of physical therapy program at Wayne State University Detroit.
For Houle and Jones, who both serve as traditional members of the Air National Guard, the educational benefits available to military personnel are financing their education. The state offers a program known as MINGSTAP -- Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program, and Airmen may also be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which Houle said he is using to pay for his tuition. The Post-9/11 GI Bill also comes with a living allowance.
“Uncle Sam is paying the tuition and serving with the Guard lets me stay in uniform,” Houle said.
The full-time student and Citizen-Airman has been a great addition to the petroleum, oil and lubricant shop of the 127th Logistics Readiness Squadron, said Master Sgt. Joe Fournier, the shop’s superintendent.
“We gained an Airman with a lot of experience and on top of that, a very positive attitude. He’s a good addition,” Fournier said.
| Date Taken: | 09.13.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.16.2025 15:27 |
| Story ID: | 548092 |
| Location: | SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, MICHIGAN, US |
| Web Views: | 114 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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