WEBVTT 00:19.620 --> 00:21.731 Good morning , 127th Wing and welcome 00:21.731 --> 00:23.953 to May drill . It is great to be at the 00:23.953 --> 00:25.953 107 Fighter squadron building as we 00:25.953 --> 00:28.231 kick off our regularly scheduled drill . 00:28.379 --> 00:30.809 The 107 has a proud history dating back 00:30.809 --> 00:33.759 to 1917 . Making it one of the oldest 00:33.759 --> 00:35.870 flying units in the United States Air 00:35.870 --> 00:37.703 Force , and over the years , the 00:37.703 --> 00:39.481 squadron has served in multiple 00:39.481 --> 00:41.315 conflicts , evolving from flying 00:41.315 --> 00:43.481 biplanes in World War One to operating 00:43.481 --> 00:45.759 the mighty A-10 Thunderbolt II . Today , 00:45.759 --> 00:47.870 the 107th mission is to provide close 00:47.870 --> 00:49.759 air support and combat search and 00:49.759 --> 00:52.145 rescue . Delivering precision firepower 00:52.145 --> 00:54.314 to protect ground forces and support 00:54.314 --> 00:56.955 global operations , with over a century 00:56.955 --> 00:59.122 of excellence , the squadron , as part 00:59.122 --> 01:00.899 of the 127th Operations Group , 01:01.075 --> 01:02.964 continues to uphold the legacy of 01:02.964 --> 01:05.275 strength , precision , and unwavering 01:05.275 --> 01:07.794 dedication to the mission . So let's 01:07.794 --> 01:09.850 kick off this drill by reflecting on 01:09.850 --> 01:11.794 our performance during the nuclear 01:11.794 --> 01:13.794 operational readiness inspection in 01:13.794 --> 01:16.830 March . Simply put , you all crushed it . 01:17.120 --> 01:19.519 Your professionalism , discipline , and 01:19.519 --> 01:21.741 mission execution demonstrated that the 01:21.741 --> 01:24.360 127th wing is always ready when called 01:24.360 --> 01:26.839 upon . Inspections like these 01:26.839 --> 01:29.061 demonstrate our ability to generate and 01:29.061 --> 01:31.669 deploy combat power . You all stepped 01:31.669 --> 01:34.519 up and it showed . I want to personally 01:34.519 --> 01:36.686 thank each and every airman who played 01:36.686 --> 01:38.908 a role from operations to maintenance , 01:38.908 --> 01:41.480 security forces , logistics , medical 01:41.480 --> 01:44.139 personnel , and support teams . It was 01:44.139 --> 01:46.361 a total team effort , and I couldn't be 01:46.361 --> 01:48.849 prouder . Last month we also had our 01:48.849 --> 01:51.209 yellow ribbon event , a vital resource 01:51.209 --> 01:53.500 for deploying and returning airmen and 01:53.500 --> 01:55.699 their families . These events help 01:55.699 --> 01:57.366 strengthen resilience , build 01:57.366 --> 01:59.779 connections , and ensure our teams have 01:59.779 --> 02:02.001 the support they need before , during , 02:02.001 --> 02:04.260 and after deployments . I also want to 02:04.260 --> 02:06.093 give a special thanks to our key 02:06.093 --> 02:08.149 support liaison group . Your role is 02:08.149 --> 02:10.720 crucial in keeping families informed , 02:11.130 --> 02:13.250 engaged , and connected . Your 02:13.250 --> 02:15.449 dedication directly impacts mission 02:15.449 --> 02:17.490 readiness , and I'm grateful for 02:17.490 --> 02:19.509 everything that you do . While 02:19.509 --> 02:21.676 exercises like last November's Nori or 02:21.676 --> 02:23.898 the inspection in March prove our wings 02:23.898 --> 02:25.565 readiness at the unit level , 02:25.610 --> 02:27.554 individual preparedness is just as 02:27.554 --> 02:29.690 critical . Whether you're supporting 02:29.690 --> 02:32.240 global operations or domestic missions , 02:32.449 --> 02:34.671 being personally ready ensures that you 02:34.671 --> 02:37.050 can deploy at a moment's notice . This 02:37.050 --> 02:38.970 means staying focused on medical 02:38.970 --> 02:40.748 training and personal readiness 02:40.748 --> 02:42.748 requirements . It is about ensuring 02:42.748 --> 02:44.803 that you are physically , mentally , 02:44.803 --> 02:46.803 and administratively ready when the 02:46.803 --> 02:49.026 call comes . So please don't wait until 02:49.026 --> 02:50.970 the last minute to get medical and 02:50.970 --> 02:52.970 dental requirements taken care of . 02:52.970 --> 02:55.137 Stay on top of your AFSC and readiness 02:55.137 --> 02:57.192 training so that you are ready to go 02:57.192 --> 02:59.248 when needed . Ensure your finances , 02:59.248 --> 03:01.359 legal affairs , and family care plans 03:01.359 --> 03:03.526 are all squared away . Deployments can 03:03.526 --> 03:05.692 be challenging physically , mentally , 03:05.692 --> 03:07.490 and emotionally . So build your 03:07.490 --> 03:09.712 resilience by staying connected to your 03:09.712 --> 03:11.768 squatter networks and utilizing your 03:11.768 --> 03:14.339 available resources . So May is Mental 03:14.339 --> 03:16.561 Health Awareness Month . With regard to 03:16.561 --> 03:19.000 mission readiness . Mental health is as 03:19.000 --> 03:21.111 important as physical fitness and job 03:21.111 --> 03:23.470 proficiency . When you're not 100% 03:23.470 --> 03:25.750 mentally , it can impact every part of 03:25.750 --> 03:28.679 your life on duty and off duty . Too 03:28.679 --> 03:30.901 often seeking help for mental health is 03:30.901 --> 03:32.846 stigmatized , but let's be clear . 03:33.300 --> 03:35.729 There is no shame in asking for help . 03:36.059 --> 03:38.619 It takes courage to step up and take 03:38.619 --> 03:40.820 care of yourself . Leadership at all 03:40.820 --> 03:42.764 levels must support an environment 03:42.764 --> 03:44.876 where mental health conversations are 03:44.876 --> 03:47.220 normal , open , and judgment free . So 03:47.220 --> 03:49.220 if you see someone struggling , say 03:49.220 --> 03:51.387 something , be that wing man who makes 03:51.387 --> 03:53.669 a difference . So I want to encourage 03:53.669 --> 03:56.229 each of you to do 3 things this month . 03:56.789 --> 03:58.990 First , check in on your wingman . Ask 03:58.990 --> 04:01.550 how they're doing . Second , check in 04:01.550 --> 04:03.550 with yourself . Take a moment to 04:03.550 --> 04:05.789 reflect on your own well-being . And 04:05.789 --> 04:08.011 third , take advantage of the resources 04:08.011 --> 04:10.070 available . Early help is a sign of 04:10.070 --> 04:12.181 strength . When you care for yourself 04:12.181 --> 04:14.348 and each other , we will all succeed . 04:15.179 --> 04:17.339 You matter , your wellness matters , 04:17.500 --> 04:19.667 and your wing is here to support you . 04:20.730 --> 04:22.563 This drill we will recognize the 04:22.563 --> 04:24.619 distinguished career of Colonel Matt 04:24.619 --> 04:26.674 Robbins , our 127th Operations Group 04:26.674 --> 04:28.730 commander , who will take his Finney 04:28.730 --> 04:30.929 flight on Saturday and prepare for his 04:30.929 --> 04:33.399 retirement . On Sunday we will gather 04:33.399 --> 04:35.455 for Colonel Robbins' retirement from 04:35.455 --> 04:37.677 decades of service in the United States 04:37.677 --> 04:39.843 Air Force . Colonel Robbins has been a 04:39.843 --> 04:42.010 leader , mentor , and warrior for this 04:42.010 --> 04:44.121 wing . His contributions to the 127th 04:44.121 --> 04:46.343 wing and the National Guard have left a 04:46.343 --> 04:48.455 lasting impact , and we thank him for 04:48.455 --> 04:50.579 his service . I'm also pleased to 04:50.579 --> 04:52.690 announce that Colonel Leo Volcker was 04:52.690 --> 04:54.857 selected to serve as Brigadier General 04:54.857 --> 04:56.912 Kramer's assistant at JFHQ effective 04:56.912 --> 05:00.489 May 19 , 2025 . With over 24 years of 05:00.489 --> 05:02.711 experience and a distinguished record . 05:02.711 --> 05:05.089 Including leading the 127th ARG through 05:05.089 --> 05:07.010 a successful NOI , she brings 05:07.010 --> 05:09.288 tremendous leadership to this new role . 05:09.480 --> 05:11.313 We thank Colonel Volcker for her 05:11.313 --> 05:13.424 outstanding service to the 127th wing 05:13.424 --> 05:15.591 and wish her continued success in this 05:15.591 --> 05:17.880 next chapter . Also this weekend , our 05:17.880 --> 05:19.920 air refueling group and XABlement 05:19.920 --> 05:22.279 members will complete ready airman 05:22.279 --> 05:24.057 training in preparation for the 05:24.057 --> 05:26.223 upcoming deployments to PACO and CEO . 05:26.829 --> 05:28.940 This training ensures you're ready to 05:28.940 --> 05:30.773 operate in austere and contested 05:30.773 --> 05:32.940 environments , reinforcing our ability 05:32.940 --> 05:35.107 to execute the mission anywhere in the 05:35.107 --> 05:36.996 world . For those participating , 05:36.996 --> 05:39.107 please take this training seriously . 05:39.107 --> 05:41.162 It's not just about checking a box . 05:41.162 --> 05:43.273 It's about sharpening your skills and 05:43.273 --> 05:45.385 readiness for real world operations . 05:45.709 --> 05:48.269 So May is a busy drill weekend , but 05:48.269 --> 05:50.491 everything we're doing ties back to our 05:50.491 --> 05:52.658 core mission being ready , resilient , 05:52.750 --> 05:55.109 and supporting our nation whenever and 05:55.109 --> 05:57.820 wherever we're needed . So whether 05:57.820 --> 06:00.042 you're preparing for deployment , honor 06:00.042 --> 06:02.209 a great leader in Colonel Robbins , or 06:02.209 --> 06:04.320 taking part in training that enhances 06:04.320 --> 06:06.264 our capabilities , every role here 06:06.264 --> 06:08.380 matters . So I want to send a special 06:08.380 --> 06:10.324 thanks to all the families who are 06:10.324 --> 06:12.324 watching . We really appreciate all 06:12.324 --> 06:14.491 your dedication and support . We stand 06:14.491 --> 06:16.602 ready for whatever mission lies ahead 06:16.602 --> 06:18.547 because together we stand ready to 06:18.547 --> 06:22.359 answer the call . Well , I got one more 06:22.359 --> 06:24.470 quick announcement . I want to take a 06:24.470 --> 06:26.359 moment to share some exciting and 06:26.359 --> 06:28.910 historic news for the 127th wing . As 06:28.910 --> 06:31.077 many of you have heard , the president 06:31.077 --> 06:32.966 has announced that Selfridge will 06:32.966 --> 06:36.200 receive the F-15 EX Eagle 2 to replace 06:36.200 --> 06:39.769 our retiring A-10s . For 15 years we've 06:39.769 --> 06:42.209 flown the A-10 with pride and unmatched 06:42.209 --> 06:44.570 skill and will continue to do so until 06:44.570 --> 06:47.649 the very last flight . But now a new 06:47.649 --> 06:50.269 chapter begins . In addition to the 06:50.269 --> 06:52.640 already scheduled KC-46 conversion , 06:52.890 --> 06:54.929 the F-15EX will bring enhanced 06:54.929 --> 06:57.609 capabilities and secure the future of 06:57.609 --> 06:59.498 our fighter mission right here at 06:59.498 --> 07:02.290 Selfridge . This milestone is the 07:02.290 --> 07:04.820 result of years of dedication and 07:04.820 --> 07:07.429 advocacy , and we are deeply grateful 07:07.429 --> 07:09.540 to the president , Governor Whitmer , 07:09.630 --> 07:11.829 our congressional delegation , and our 07:11.829 --> 07:14.109 military leadership for helping make it 07:14.109 --> 07:17.670 happen . Their efforts have ensured not 07:17.670 --> 07:20.309 just a new aircraft but continued 07:20.309 --> 07:22.790 mission strength and stability for our 07:22.790 --> 07:26.100 airmen . As we prepare for that future , 07:26.390 --> 07:28.557 I encourage you to take full advantage 07:28.557 --> 07:30.779 of the 127th Wing Retention Office's 07:31.109 --> 07:33.940 internal career fair being held Sunday 07:33.940 --> 07:37.369 of May drill 0900 to 1500 at the 07:37.369 --> 07:39.679 DFAC . This is a great chance to 07:39.679 --> 07:42.619 explore other AFSCs , ask questions , 07:42.790 --> 07:45.029 and see what's out there . So please 07:45.029 --> 07:47.029 bring your rip so they can help you 07:47.029 --> 07:49.085 check your ASVAB eligibility for any 07:49.085 --> 07:51.362 potential cross training opportunities . 07:51.362 --> 07:54.209 This is a defining moment for the 127th 07:54.209 --> 07:56.609 Ann Selfridge . So thank you for your 07:56.609 --> 07:58.720 continued excellence and commitment . 07:59.089 --> 08:01.200 Let's finish strong with the A-10 and 08:01.200 --> 08:03.422 look forward to what's ahead with pride 08:03.422 --> 08:03.850 and purpose .