126th Air Refueling Wing's Kid's Christmas Party

Members of the 126th Air Refueling Wing await the arrival of Santa Claus and his elves in a maintenance hangar during a Kid's Holiday Party. The Illinois Air National Guard unit, located at Scott AFB, Ill., hosted the party for Wing members and their children. The special famiiy time included crafts, games, bouncy houses and a visit from Santa Claus and his elves who arrived on a KC-135R Stratotanker. (National Guard photo by Airman First Class Elise Stout)

126th Air Refueling Wing's Kid's Christmas Party

Master Sgt. Jayme Laurent-Small helps her daughter, Jordyn, put together a marshmallow snowman at a craft table during the 126th Air Refueling Wing's Kid's Christmas Party. The Illinois Air National Guard unit, located at Scott AFB, Ill., hosted the party for Wing members and their children. The special famiiy time included crafts, games, bouncy houses and a visit from Santa Claus and his elves who arrived on a KC-135R Stratotanker. (National Guard photo by Airman First Class Elise Stout)

In Memoriam...

Members of the 126th Air Reufeling Wing, Illinois National Guard, bow their heads during a prayer in front of a memorial at Scott AFB, Ill., on March 19, 2012. A ceremony was held to commemorate the four Wing aircrew members who perished in an aircraft accident 30 years ago. Maj. William S. Dixon, Jr., Capt. Kenneth L. Herrick, Capt. Robert J. Nicosia and Master Sgt. Richard A. Crome were aboard a KC-135A "Stratotanker" while on a routine training mission when their plane exploded near Greenwood, Ill. In addition, 23 members of the 928th Tactical Airlift Group, Air Force Reserves, who were passengers also lost their lives. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ken Stephens)

In Memoriam...

Lt. Col. Leslie Summers (left), a chaplain assigned to the 126th Air Refueling Wing, makes remarks at a memorial service at Scott AFB, Ill., while Col. Pete Nezamis, Commander, 126th Air Refueling Wing, looks on. The ceremony commemorated the four Wing aircrew members who perished in an aircraft accident 30 years ago. Maj. William S. Dixon, Jr., Capt. Kenneth L. Herrick, Capt. Robert J. Nicosia and Master Sgt. Richard A. Crome were aboard a Illinois National Guard KC-135A "Stratotanker" while on a routine training mission when their plane exploded near Greenwood, Ill., on March 19, 1982. In addition, 23 members of the 928th Tactical Airlift Group, Air Force Reserves, who were passengers also lost their lives. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ken Stephens)

126th Air Refueling Wing receives the National Guard Association of the U.S. Flying Award

Colonel Peter Nezamis (center), Commander, 126th Air Refueling Wing, accepts the National Guard Association of the U.S. Flying Award on behalf of the Wing. The award is presented annually to the top five Air National Guard flying units that excel in flying safety, aircraft operational readiness, unit manning, skill level qualification and other operational and manning requirements. The Illinois Air National Guard Wing maintains a flying record of more than 29 years with 100,227 flight hours logged. (Courtesy photo)

126th Air Refueling Wing celebrates their 60th year of flight

The 126th Air Refueling Wing at Scott Air Force Base, celebrated its 60th Anniversary Oct. 2. The celebration was in one of the hangers and displayed the KC-135 Stratotanker and other memorabilia. In attendance (left to right) Air Force Brig. Gen. James Schroeder, Assistant Adjutant General-Air for the Illinois National Guard; retired Air Force Brig. Gen. John Hughes; Air Force Col. Peter Nezamis, Commander of the 126th; Army Maj. Gen. Dennis Celletti, Assistant Adjutant General-Army for the Illinois National Guard; Air Force Gen. Craig R McKinley, Chief of the National Guard Bureau; Army Maj. Gen. William Enyart, The Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, and Army Brig. Gen. Steven Huber, Director of the Joint Staff Joint Force Headquarters Illinois. (Photo by Pfc. Jason Northcutt, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)