Engine Noise Prompts New Recruit to Enlist

Published May 19, 2013
By TSgt. Dan Heaton
127th Wing Public Affairs

SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- The sound of running engine on an F-16 Fighting Falcon prompted Kevin Krokosky to enlisted in the Michigan Air National Guard.

It was a 7th grade field trip and tour of Selfridge Air National Guard Base and as Krokosky's class was preparing to leave the base, he heard the sound of freedom.

"There was an F-16 idling, it must have been getting ready to take off," said Krokosky, who enlisted about two months ago. "I heard that sound as we were leaving the base and I still remember it. I decided then I wanted to join."

Krokosky is a member of the 127th Wing Student Flight at Selfridge. After new Airmen enlist in the 127th Wing, they serve as members of Student Flight, learning the basics of the military - how to march, rank insignia and the like - as they await a date to attend Basic Military Training and really get their Air Force career going.

"My dad was in the Army in Vietnam," Krokosky said during weekend duty at Selfridge. "I wanted to keep that tradition alive in my family."

Krokosky will serve as an electrician in the 127th Wing Civil Engineer Squadron at the completion of his basic training and technical school.

"I took some classes and enjoyed that in high school," he said. "And I'd like to do that in a civilian career, too."

F-16s operated at Selfridge for about 20 years. They were assigned to other bases in early 2009. Today the 127th Wing operates the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the KC-135 Stratotanker.