41st APS dedicates state-of-the-art facility

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. – Congressman Steven M. Palazzo, U.S. Representative, fourth congressional district of Mississippi, prepares to cut the ribbon dedicating the newly-completed 41st Aerial Port Squadron building here Oct. 20 along with other members of the 41st APS. The $8.5 million, 30,000 square foot facility provides the 41st APS Air Force Reserve members with a purpose-built environment designed to train and work in supporting the mission of the 41st and the 403rd Wing here at Keesler AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens)

Warm welcome home

Tears of joy flowed in the Roberts Consolidated Maintenance Facility Sept. 1 as family members of a dozen 403rd Wing civil engineers welcomed them back from a six-month deployment to Southwest Asia. Among them was Staff Sgt. Thomas Frisbie, who was greeted at the door by his mother, Ms. Chris Bush. During a reception held in the Roberts Auditorium here, 403rd Wing commander Col. Jay Jensen commended the civil engineers, saying “Thank you very much for your service. I appreciate it and your nation appreciates it. We’re glad you’re back.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Michael Duhe)

Mission supporters get new commander

Col. Jay Jensen, 403rd Wing commander, appoints Lt. Col. Kevin Riley as the new Mission Support Group commander in an Assumption of Command ceremony held at the Roberts Maintenance Facility here during the July Unit Training Assembly. Though this is the first group Riley has commanded, he brings a wealth of mission support knowledge having served more than six years as the 315th MSG deputy commander, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.

Mission supporters get new commander

Lt. Col. Kevin Riley salutes Col. Jay Jensen, 403rd Wing commander, before taking the 403rd Mission Support Group guidon in an Assumption of Command ceremony held at the Roberts Maintenance Facility here during the July Unit Training Assembly. Though this is the first group Riley has commanded, he brings a wealth of mission support knowledge having served more than six years as the 315th MSG deputy commander, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.

Live Fire Burn

Senior Airman Rufus Watkins (right) and Airman 1st Class Clay Dixon, 403rd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, douse a fire during a Live Fire Burn exercise at the Air National Guard Combat Readiness Training Center, Miss. The exercise, held during the May unit training assembly, is part of the firefighters’ annual training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens)

Live Fire Burn

Senior Airman Dwight Smith, 403rd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, secures his breathing mask as he dons his J-Fire suit to battle an interior fire on a mock-up during a Live Fire Burn exercise. The exercise, held during the May unit training assembly at the Air National Guard Combat Readiness Training Center, Miss., is part of the firefighters’ annual training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens)