Retired and current aircrew members sit down with the 171st Air Refueling Wing Commander Col. Raymond L. Hyland Jr. and discuss their experiences from September 11th, 2001.
171st Air Refueling Wing
In 1947, an Air National Guard unit was formed at Pittsburgh Airport. Since then the unit has flown 16 different aircraft. This is a moderated forum.
We provide Global Airlift, Air Refueling, Air Traffic Control and Weather Support to a wide range of combat mission support units. Official page for the 171st Air Refueling Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard (PANG). This page is managed by the 171st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. All posts made to this page are subject to the User Agreement. DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
09/11/2025
09/05/2025
Four Airmen from the 171st Air Refueling Wing’s 258th Combat Airfield Operations Squadron traveled thousands of miles recently to take control of the air traffic over the Pacific island nation of Palau during Exercise Resolute Force Pacific 2025.
Story here: https://www.pa.ng.mil/Site-Management/News-Article-View/Article/4292957/171st-arw-airmen-control-skies-over-palau-during-exercise/
08/30/2025
08/25/2025
They see me rollin, they hatin!
08/07/2025
"We had a great time and appreciate that we got to see everything that we did," said Kara Himich, an employee at Dreamguard. "It was really cool. Thank you for giving us this opportunity."
The 171st at the 911th just touched down from the ESGR flight. representatives of civilian enterprises from the region participated in a flight to witness first hand what Guardsmen and Reservists do during military service.
08/04/2025
Chaplain Col. Jonathan R. Bell will assume responsibilities as the 12th Director of the Air National Guard Chaplain Corps on Aug. 1, 2025. In this role, Bell will advise and represent the Director of the Air National Guard, ANG senior leadership, and the Air Force Chief of Chaplains on matters of religion, morals, ethics, morale, and well-being for Air National Guard personnel and their families. He will oversee activities and implement policy and guidance for the 600 Chaplain Corps personnel assigned to ANG units across 90 wings in 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia.
“From the very start of my career, I have been deeply humbled and blessed to serve the men and women of the 171st. Through the relationships I've built and the ministry I've provided, I've strived to support and strengthen them at every level.” Said Chaplain Bell. “As I move on to my next assignment, I look forward to building more relationships with the men and women of the other 89 wings in the ANG. However, I will always remain a Steel Airman.”
Prior to this assignment, he served as the Wing Chaplain at the 171st Air Refueling Wing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2023, he was appointed as the first State Air Chaplain for Pennsylvania and the National Guard Assistant to the Command Chaplain, U.S. Africa Command. Col. Bell is the first Director of the Air National Guard Chaplain Corps from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Congratulations Chaplain Bell!
08/03/2025
Maj. Gen. Terrence L. Koudelka Jr., Pennsylvania National Guard Deputy Adjutant General - Air, delivers the oath of enlistment to new recruits joining the 171st Air Refueling Wing Aug. 3, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The recruits' families were welcomed onto the base to watch the oath of enlistment. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Zoe M. Wockenfuss)
07/28/2025
It's Monday... but we have some F-35 pictures. Tech. Sgt. Andrew Stover and the crew helped this team cross the Pacific Ocean April 20th so that they can participate in an exercise in Guam & Japan. Which picture is your favorite?
Happy Independence Day!
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