U. S. Airmen from the 127th Wing, Michigan National Guard, were tested on critical skillsets during a combat readiness inspection at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Sept. 10 to 13, 2025. Exercise Bronco, a four-day combat readiness inspection, tested the 127th Wing's ability to generate, deploy, and fight from home station under pressure, ensuring the 127th Wing Airmen have the capabilities needed to dominate the future fight.
Every mission in the sky starts with work on the ground, and that's where the fuel management specialists, also known as petroleum, oils, and lubricants Airmen, come in. Serving with the 127th Logistics Readiness Squadron's Fuels Flight at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, these Airmen are the backbone of the Air Force.
POL is a vital career field that ensures the Air Force always has the fuel it needs, keeps the engines running and moves the mission forward. Jet fuel might be the main attraction, but there is more to the job than meets the eye. Fuels Airmen also maintain fuel storage and dispensing systems, ensure inventory accuracy, analyze fuel and cryogenic products, run a lab and maintain a vehicle fleet.
The critical fuels...
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bart Ward, an A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft pilot, assigned to the 107th Fighter Squadron, Michigan Air National Guard, left, and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Scott L. Meyers, Assistant Adjutant General, Michigan Army National Guard stand at attention during Ward's retirement ceremony at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, Nov. 1, 2025. Ward retired from the military with more than 1,100 hours combat flying hours. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Elise Wahlstrom)
Among the most recent recruits are five people who have sworn in and will serve as crew chiefs on the Wing’s A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and will be among those who transition to serve to support the Wing’s conversion from the A-10 to the new F-15EX Eagle II, which will begin to be delivered to the Wing in 2028. Each of the five, who spent the first weekend in November serving at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, said they are excited...
