U.S. Michigan Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Terlaje of the 191st Maintenance Squadron makes electrical upgrades on Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, March 9, 2023. Terlaje is tasked to inspect, remove and install integrated avionics systems.
For Airman 1st Class Nea Shafer, service in the Michigan Air National Guard as an aerospace propulsion technician is just one part of her life in the aviation industry.
The Citizen-Airman serves part-time in the 127th Maintenance Squadron, working on the jet engines on A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft. She has a full-time job working for a cargo airline and she's also a student majoring in aviation management at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. She formerly worked as a baggage handler at Detroit Metro Airport.
"I love working on the engines, getting hands on and turning the wrenches," said Shafer, who has been a member of the Air National Guard for about a year and a half.
"I really like my job with the airline, too, but...
Michigan Air National Guard Senior Airman Jake Crantas, an in-flight refueling specialist of the 171st Air Refueling Squadron, refuels an F-16 over northern Ohio, March 15, 2023. In-flight refueling specialists use steady hands to refuel other aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Airman 1st Class Nathan Wingate)
There’s a new flight chief leading the 127th Wing recruiting team and he wants to tell everyone about the ‘best kept secret in the military.’
“I feel like a lot of people know about the Air Force, but when you say, ‘Air National Guard,’ they’re caught by surprise,” said Tech. Sgt. Brandon Hamm, recruiting flight chief, 127th Wing, based here.
Comprised of Hamm and his five recruiters, each assigned to a geographic area in...
