The 171st Air Refueling Wing is awarded the Omaha Trophy during a ceremony May 1, 2025 at the Air National Guard base located near Pittsburgh Pa. During the ceremony U.S. Air Force Gen. Anthony Cotton, commander of United States Strategic Command and Mike Cassling, a representative of the Strategic Command Consultation Committee, presented Col. Raymond L. Hyland Jr., 171st Air Refueling Wing commander, the trophy for the 171st demonstration of the highest performance standards in USSTRATCOM’s Global Operations mission area. The Omaha Trophy is presented to the top military units supporting USSTRATCOM’s strategic deterrence mission for their exceptional performance in the categories of intercontinental ballistic missiles, ballistic...
The 171st Air Refueling Wing's Fatality Search and Recovery Team and Religious Support Team from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard provided critical support in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene by deploying to Asheville, North Carolina, Oct. 3 - 14, 2024. Their assignment came as the region faced significant challenges in the wake of the powerful storm, which resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life.
The Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 171st Air Refueling Wing, dove headfirst into the Air Force’s push to create Mission-Ready Airmen (MRA). In today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, this initiative is essential to maintaining readiness and adapting to challenges. For the Guardsmen of the 171st, embracing this philosophy isn’t just a concept—it’s becoming a way of life.