Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Christopher Botzum

Retired Senior Master Sgt. Vincent Celenza was selected as the Air Force Retiree Activities Volunteer of the Year award on Jun. 18, 2011. Presenting the award was Lt. Col. William Griffin, vice commander of the 111th Fighter Wing. Celenza has a long history of service to his country and community. He began his military career in 1948 with the Army National Guard. After two years, he transferred to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, 111th Tactical Air Support Group. His military careers spans over 40 years. In January of 1988, Celenza retired from the unit but still remains an ever present contributor to the community and the military in our region. He works as a volunteer with the Retiree Activities Office, a retiree organization based out of Headquarters Building 203. In 2002, he was nominated to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard Hall of Fame.

Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Christopher Botzum

Airman First Class Remington Kauffman, father Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Kauffman, and brother Staff Sgt. Dakota Kauffman meet up at a 270th EIS Yellow Ribbon Program event held Sept. 9, 2011.

Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Christopher Botzum

On Oct. 23, 2011, eight 111th Fighter Wing enlisted members joined the ranks of the commissioned officer core after completing 42 days of training and graduating the Academy of Military Science as Class O-2012-1 at Maxwell AFB, Ala. Shown left to right (back row) are: 2nd Lt. Charese Baston, 2nd Lt. Joseph Khovansky, 2nd Lt. Jamin Stevenson, 2nd Lt. David Dascalescu, 2nd Lt. Gordon Beecroft, (front row) 2nd Lt. Matthew Stone, 2nd Lt. Joshua Aduddell, and 2nd Lt. Dennis Morgan. Special recognition: Commander’s Award for Military Excellence --- 2nd Lt. Gordon Beecroft. Selected by the Commander of Detachment 12, Academy of Military Science, this award recognizes outstanding performance in personal inspections, military drill, military bearing and behavior. Class Speaker Award --- 2nd Lt. David A. Dascalescu. Selected by his classmates, this award is presented to the officer candidate chosen to express the sentiments, accom plishments and goals of the graduation class.

Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Christopher Botzum

Adam Jacobs and Zachary Bair, wildlife technicians with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, were called in on Aug. 29, 2011 to make a health assessment on our resident beaver and relocate him from a water run-off area near fuel storage tanks on base to a safe and isolated waterway nearby. The relocation effort took only two hours to complete.

Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Christopher Botzum

Front end loaders and dump trucks convoy down Maclay Street in northern Harrisburg Sept. 12, 2011 as local police units provide road closures ahead of the slow moving line. The 201st RED HORSE Squadron, Detachment 1 activated 44 members to assist state and local authorities with clean-up efforts after the onslaught of devastating rains brought on by Hurricane Irene and remnants of Tropical Storm Lee. The series of storms substantially impacted the central region of Pennsylvania.

Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Christopher Botzum

Staff Sgt. Matthew Dechant and Staff Sgt. Alexis Galatis, cyber transport specialists, level and target the Joint Incident Site Communication Capability, or JISCC, dish. Relaying data via satellite allows select agencies to access information regardless of distance from the incident sight. Team members of the 111th Communications Flight set up their mobile communication hub on Jun. 4, 2011 to run personnel through the steps of its set-up and operation, which is required on a reoccurring basis. The Joint Incident Site Communication Capability (JISCC) kit offers a unique dimension of connection and information transfer. The demand for real time crisis management communications for federal, state and local authorities increases at the speed of technology.

Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Elisabeth Ann Matulewicz

Master Sgt. Andy Raup, 111th Fighter Wing Recruiting Office Supervisor, demonstrates disaster response movements to a mother and child visiting the Air National Guard “Rise to the Challenge” recruiting trailer display area Sept. 9, 2011. Raup and military members participated in a special edition of "Good Day Philadelphia" that paid tribute to armed forces serving our country locally and abroad. The event was first held in November (to align with Veterans Day), but was moved this year to commorate the ten year anniversary of 9/11.

Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Elisabeth Ann Matulewicz

During Wawa Welcome America Philadelphia, a hoagie building contest ensued between members of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and Army National Guard held on Jun. 29, 2011. The Pa. Air National Guard team emerged victorious. Members of the Air National Guard team were: Senior Master Sgt. John Heidrick (270th EIS), Tech. Sgt. Matthew Long (270th EIS), Senior Airman Mark Wojdylo (270th EIS), Staff Sgt. Danielle Heidrick (AFFOR), Tech. Sgt. Kristen Luciano (AFFOR), and Tech. Sgt. Allison Shick (111th FW).

Air National Guard file photo

Official portrait of Lt. Col. John Pace, 111th Fighter Wing Inspector General (IG).

Air National Guard file photo

Official portrait of Lt. Col. Geno Rapone.

Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Marie Harmon

Team D-2 defeated 31 other teams during Sports Day II held Oct. 4 at Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Pa. Sports Day consists of indoor and outdoor activities geared towards fostering camaraderie and teamwork and having fun.

Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Patrick Cashin

Senior Airman Peter Gottshalk II, 201st RED HORSE Squadron Detachment 1, and his son are greeted by the Philly Phanatic during Family Day Oct. 3 at Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Pa.