Members of the New York Air National Guard’s 174th Fighter Wing at Hancock Field in Syracuse have dedicated an F-86B Sabre fighter into the base’s newly established air park. It is the first of many aircraft that the wing intends to display in the park. The names of retired Brig. Gen. Curtis Irwin, former 174th FW commander, and retired SMSgt. Charles Poehlman, a former crew chief at Hancock Field, are painted, respectively, on the left and right sides of the refurbished fighter. Poehlman attended the dedication ceremony last month as did Irwin’s daughters Sheila Austin and SMSgt Lisa Damon. Maj Gen James Kwiatkowski, New York Air Guard commander, also attended. The F-86 is painted like aircraft that flew at Hancock Field from 1957 to 1970, according to wing officials.(Hancock report by 1st Lt. Greta Lewis)
The Air Force will promote 11.64 percent of eligible master sergeants to senior master sergeant this year, continuing a steady upward trajectory. The Air Force Personnel Center announced Feb. 24 that 1,635 Airmen are moving up to E-8 out of 14,041 eligible. The full list of those selected will be posted…