Commander of the California Air National Guard visits 146AW Published July 3, 2019 By Airman 1st Class Mackenzie Bacalzo 146th Airlift Wing CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION, Calif. -- After being selected as Commander California Air National Guard Maj. Gen. Gregory Jones returns to his former unit the 146th Airlift Wing (146AW) to conduct a climate survey June 9, 2018. Jones flew with the 115th Airlift Squadron (115AS) and served in various command positions at the 146th Airlift Wing at the squadron and group level, even serving as the interim Wing Commander for the 146AW. Now serving as the primary advisor to The Adjutant General on all programs, strategic planning, and operations affecting the California Air National Guard, Jones oversees five wings and more than 4,500 military and civilian personnel serving at ten locations in the state of California. Touring the base meeting with various squadrons, Jones spoke with junior enlisted and non-commissioned officers attending the 146AW Rising Six council meeting to answer questions and address concerns. Soon after Jones found his way over to his old squadron at the 115AS where he was greeted by many smiling faces. U.S. Air National Guard Col. Christopher Dougherty of the 115AS shared a laugh with Jones as they reminisced on Jones’ many years flying with the 115AS in the hallway of the operations building. “It feels like a homecoming, he was with our base during the early part of his career and had an impact on quite a few people that are still serving on the base today,” said Dougherty. “Seeing him walk through our hallways and re-acquainting with his old squadron mates really brought a smile to my face. Despite his current rank, people felt relaxed around him and could talk on a personal level about shared experiences,” said Dougherty. Jones continued on to the maintenance hangar to greet maintenance personnel working on a C-130J aircraft housed within the large structure. U.S. Air National Guard Col. John Ramos, Commander 146AW Maintenance Group guided Jones around the aircraft and introduces his airmen to the General. Ramos who came to the wing years after Jones had departed recognizes the significance of his visit and feels Jones’ history with the wing will benefit morale directly. “I think Maj. Gen. Jones’s experience serving with the 146AW will have a huge impact on the airmen. When they see a general officer that came from our unit, that knows their mission and understands their needs, it can only bring positive results,” said Ramos. Ramos added, “I believe he can relate to the airmen and identify with our concerns, and that will go a long way with our folks.”
Commander of the California Air National Guard visits 146AW Published July 3, 2019 By Airman 1st Class Mackenzie Bacalzo 146th Airlift Wing CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION, Calif. -- After being selected as Commander California Air National Guard Maj. Gen. Gregory Jones returns to his former unit the 146th Airlift Wing (146AW) to conduct a climate survey June 9, 2018. Jones flew with the 115th Airlift Squadron (115AS) and served in various command positions at the 146th Airlift Wing at the squadron and group level, even serving as the interim Wing Commander for the 146AW. Now serving as the primary advisor to The Adjutant General on all programs, strategic planning, and operations affecting the California Air National Guard, Jones oversees five wings and more than 4,500 military and civilian personnel serving at ten locations in the state of California. Touring the base meeting with various squadrons, Jones spoke with junior enlisted and non-commissioned officers attending the 146AW Rising Six council meeting to answer questions and address concerns. Soon after Jones found his way over to his old squadron at the 115AS where he was greeted by many smiling faces. U.S. Air National Guard Col. Christopher Dougherty of the 115AS shared a laugh with Jones as they reminisced on Jones’ many years flying with the 115AS in the hallway of the operations building. “It feels like a homecoming, he was with our base during the early part of his career and had an impact on quite a few people that are still serving on the base today,” said Dougherty. “Seeing him walk through our hallways and re-acquainting with his old squadron mates really brought a smile to my face. Despite his current rank, people felt relaxed around him and could talk on a personal level about shared experiences,” said Dougherty. Jones continued on to the maintenance hangar to greet maintenance personnel working on a C-130J aircraft housed within the large structure. U.S. Air National Guard Col. John Ramos, Commander 146AW Maintenance Group guided Jones around the aircraft and introduces his airmen to the General. Ramos who came to the wing years after Jones had departed recognizes the significance of his visit and feels Jones’ history with the wing will benefit morale directly. “I think Maj. Gen. Jones’s experience serving with the 146AW will have a huge impact on the airmen. When they see a general officer that came from our unit, that knows their mission and understands their needs, it can only bring positive results,” said Ramos. Ramos added, “I believe he can relate to the airmen and identify with our concerns, and that will go a long way with our folks.”