Retired CMSAF Robert Gaylor inspires 501st CSW Airmen during visit

RAF MOLESWORTH, United Kingdom - Retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert Gaylor, the fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, talks with Master Sgt. Jason Kerkaert, 423rd Civil Engineer Squadron, at the RAF Molesworth range March 7. Kerkaert was one of many Airmen from the 501st Combat Support Wing who helped get the RAF Molesworth range open. The chief visited with members of the 501st CSW during a tour of RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth. He also held an enlisted call where he answered a question he gets asked all of the time - “How does somebody get ahead?” (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chrissy Best)

Retired CMSAF Robert Gaylor inspires 501st CSW Airmen during visit

RAF MOLESWORTH, United Kingdom - Retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert Gaylor, the fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, talks with Airman 1st Class Kylie Cain, 423rd Security Forces Squadron, at the RAF Molesworth front gate March 7. The chief visited with members of the 501st Combat Support Wing during a tour of RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth. He also held an enlisted call where he answered a question he gets asked all of the time - “How does somebody get ahead?” (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chrissy Best)

501st CSW Everyday Hero

RAF MOLESWORTH, United Kingdom--Master Sgt. Robert Manion, 423rd Communications Squadron, NCOIC Network Integration office, was named December’s 501st CSW Everyday Hero from the 423rd Air Base Group. Manion serves as the 423rd ABG telecommunications liaison to the 23-nation NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre. He provides maintenance oversight for a $6.5 million computer network that provides voice and data services to the 501st CSW Staff and the 423rd ABG. He recently led a 4-person maintenance team in response to the catastrophic failure of telephone switching equipment on RAF Alconbury. His team restored and programmed more than 90 phones and ran new lines. His efforts not only restored services to 100 customers but also brought RAF Alconbury into compliance with USAFE’s telephone network solution and saved the Wing $12,800 a year in contracted maintenance fees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chrissy Best)

501st CSW Everyday Hero

RAF MOLESWORTH, United Kingdom--Master Sgt. Robert Manion, 423rd Communications Squadron, NCOIC Network Integration office, was named December’s 501st CSW Everyday Hero from the 423rd Air Base Group. Manion serves as the 423rd ABG telecommunications liaison to the 23-nation NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre. He provides maintenance oversight for a $6.5 million computer network that provides voice and data services to the 501st CSW Staff and the 423rd ABG. He recently led a 4-person maintenance team in response to the catastrophic failure of telephone switching equipment on RAF Alconbury. His team restored and programmed more than 90 phones and ran new lines. His efforts not only restored services to 100 customers but also brought RAF Alconbury into compliance with USAFE’s telephone network solution and saved the Wing $12,800 a year in contracted maintenance fees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chrissy Best)

WWII Vet Visit

RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom - Ted Penn sits in front of Alconbury House while assigned to the 685th Air Materiel Squadron at RAF Alconbury during World War II. His squadron worked out of temporary buildings in front of Alconbury House during the war, and Penn visited RAF Alconbury Nov. 13, 2012, for the first time in 67 years. (Courtesy Photo)

WWII Vet Visit

RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom - Theodore Penn as he looked while serving in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. Penn was stationed at RAF Alconbury from October 1942 through October 1945, with the 685th Air Materiel Squadron. He visited his wartime assignment for the first time in 67 years. (Courtesy Photo)

Alconbury Independence Day Festival

The Alconbury Independence Day Festival featured live entertainment from a number of bands.

Alconbury Independence Day Festival

Grills churned out burgers, brats and hot dogs during the Alconbury Independence Day Festival.

Croughton Independence Day celebration

A well-placed shot could lead to a cooling off during the Croughton Independence Day event.

Change of command

RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom - Airmen from the 501st Combat Support Wing give their first salute to Col. Brian Kelly, 501st CSW commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. John Barton)

501st welcomes new commander

RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom - Airmen of the 501st Combat Support Wing render the wing’s first salute to their new commander, Col. Brian Kelly, during a change of command ceremony March 17 at RAF Alconbury. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. John Barton)

501st welcomes new commander

RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom - Airmen of the 501st Combat Support Wing stand in formation during a change of command ceremony March 17 at RAF Alconbury. The formation, led by Col. Jeff Yocum, 501st CSW vice commander, was comprised of Airmen from the wing’s three air base groups. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. John Barton)