Mile High Militia
Meet the members of the 120th Fighter Squadron, who protect the skies over Colorado.
- By Ed Darack
- AirSpaceMag.com, August 18, 2011
Ed Darack
Ever since they were asked to patrol the skies over Colorado in the first few minutes after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the members of the 120th Fighter Squadron (the first federally recognized Air National Guard unit) have been flying a national security mission known as the Aerospace Control Alert. Meet some of the 120th’s members in the gallery above.
Staff Sergeant Joseph Wertz (above) is currently a crew chief. He finished his degree in just a little over four years while serving in the Air Force—on full-time active-duty, including deployments. As soon as his active-duty commitment was completed, Wertz joined the Air National Guard, hoping to become a pilot. He finished school in January 2010; after taking the officer qualifying test, he was selected to fly F-16s with the 176th Fighter Squadron in the Wisconsin Air National Guard. He'll start training in 2012.
| Tweet | Digg |
Comments (3)
Great article and photo's. Henry Ford would be proud of the tech on the wing with a ball peen hammer (behind his right foot) and a piece of bailing wire in his left hand. Standard tool kit for a Model "T" Ford.
Posted by Larry L. Anderson on August 24,2011 | 08:27 PM
Great job Joey, congratulations !!!!!
Wayne and Patti Buck
Posted by Patti Buck on November 8,2011 | 04:17 PM