148FW Operation Group Change of Command

Col. Gerald Ostern (middle), Operations Group Commander relinquishes command to Col. Frank Stokes (far left), 148th Fighter Wing Commander during a change of command ceremony on February 10, 2013. Col Brad Jackson (far right) accepted command of the Operations Group during the ceremony which was held at the 148 FW, Duluth, Minn. (National Guard photo by Senior Airman Sarah Hayes/Released)

Operations Group change of command ceremony

Col. Frank Stokes, 148th Fighter Wing Commander; Senior Master Sgt. Mark Graves, 148FW Operations Group First Sergeant; Col. Gerald Ostern, 148FW Operations Group Commander and Col. Brad Jackson participate in a change of command cereomony on 10 February 2013. Col Gerald Ostern relinquished command of the Operations Group and Col. Brad Jackson (far right) accepted command during the ceremony which was held at the 148 FW, Duluth, Minn. (National Guard photo by Senior Airman Sarah Hayes/Released)

Lieutenant Govenor Yvonne Prettner Solon

Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon addesses Northeastern Minnesota employers during a veteran employment seminar held at the College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, Minn. on Jan 11, 2013. The seminar was held to discuss barriers and possible solutions to hiring and retaining veterans. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ralph J. Kapustka/Released)

Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon

Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon addesses Northeastern Minnesota employers during a veteran employment seminar held at the College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, Minn. on Jan 11, 2013. The seminar was held to discuss barriers and possible solutions to hiring and retaining veterans. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ralph J. Kapustka/Released)

Kandahar Deployment

A 148th Fighter Wing member is greeted by his daughter after returning from Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Oct. 22, 2012. The 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, deployed approximately 300 airmen to Afghanistan in August, 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Brett R. Ewald/ Released)

148th Fighter Wing Deployment Return

A 148th Fighter Wing Block 50 F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft taxis to its parking spot at the Duluth Air National Guard Base after returning from Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Oct. 22, 2012. The 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, deployed approximately 300 airmen to Afghanistan in August, 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Brett R. Ewald/ Released)

Afghanistan AEF 2012

Airmen from the Minnesota Air National Guard begin their in-processing paperwork at the PAX terminal at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan on Aug. 10, 2012. Personnel are deployed from the Minnesota Air National Guard's 148th Fighter Wing in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Bull Dog F-16???s, pilots, and support personnel began their Air Expeditionary Force deployment in mid-August to take over flying missions for the air tasking order and provide close air support for troops on the ground in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt. Stephen Hudson)

Afghanistan AEF 2012

Airmen from the Minnesota Air National Guard disembark a C-17 on the ramp at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan on Aug. 10, 2012. Personnel are deployed from the Minnesota Air National Guard's 148th Fighter Wing in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Bull Dog F-16???s, pilots, and support personnel began their Air Expeditionary Force deployment in mid-August to take over flying missions for the air tasking order and provide close air support for troops on the ground in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt. Stephen Hudson)

ESGR event

Employers and educators from central and northern Minnesota were able to learn more about the 148th Fighter Wing's Block 50 F-16's while participating in an Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) event at the 148 Fighter Wing, Duluth, Minn. The goal of this ESGR event was to provide employers and educators perspective on the Minnesota National Guard's mission. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ralph J. Kapustka / Released)

ESGR Event

Employers and educators from central and northern Minnesota were able to learn more about the 148th Fighter Wing's Block 50 F-16's while participating in an Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) event at the 148 Fighter Wing, Duluth, Minn. The goal of this ESGR event was to provide employers and educators perspective on the Minnesota National Guard's mission. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ralph J. Kapustka / Released)

Winston P. Wilson Trophy

Brig. Gen. William Burks, Vice Chairman of the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS), Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, Director, Air National Guard and Gen. (Ret.) Ron Fogleman, former Chief of Staff, Air National Guard (far right) present the Winston P. Wilson Trophy to 148th Fighter Wing members, Col. Penny Dieryck, Lt. Col. Guy Schaumburg and Capt. Gina Keppeler on September 12, 2012 during the NGAUS conference in Reno, Nev. The Winston P. Wilson Trophy is presented to the most outstanding Air National Guard flying unit equipped with Fighter or Reconnaissance aircraft. (National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Jodi Kiminski)

The 148th deploys to Afghanistan

Airmen from the Minnesota Air National Guard begin their in-processing paperwork at the PAX terminal at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 10, 2012. Personnel are deployed from the Minnesota Air National Guard's 148th Fighter Wing in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Bull Dog F-16’s, pilots, and support personnel began their Air Expeditionary Force deployment in mid-August to take over flying missions for the air tasking order and provide close air support for troops on the ground in Afghanistan. (Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Stephen Hudson, 169th Fighter Wing/Public Affairs.)

The 148th deploys to Afghanistan

Members of the 148th Fighter Wing are transported by bus to an aircraft waiting to take them to Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan on Saturday Aug. 11, 2012. This marks the 148th’s first deployment with the Block 50 F-16, as well as the first aviation package deployment to Afghanistan. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Scott G. Herrington.)

The 148th deploys to Afghanistan

Approximately 150 members of the 148th Fighter Wing board an aircraft to Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan on Saturday Aug. 11, 2012. Approximately 300 Bulldogs are deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom for two months, and are scheduled to provide close air support for coalition ground forces. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Scott G. Herrington.)

Bulldogs embody service before self

148th Fighter Wing member and owner of Rymel Construction Tech. Sgt. Ryan Ostrofsky unpackages shingles alongside Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity Executive Director, Daryl Yankee Saturday Aug. 4, 2012 at a home in Superior Wis. Ostrofsky coordinated the help of approximately 12 Bulldogs in reconditioning the house. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Scott G. Herrington)

Bulldogs embody service before self

Members of the 148th Fighter Wing pose for a photo while volunteering to help Habitat for Humanity remodel a house in Superior Wis., Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012. Approximately 12 Bulldogs assisted with the construction, which ranged from extensive roof construction and new siding. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Scott G. Herrington

148th Fighter Wing Force Support Squadron participated in PATRIOT 2012

Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, Adjutant General of Wisconsin and Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, Director of the Air National Guard talk with Staff Sgt. Emeri Rohweder while touring different aspects of PATRIOT 2012 at Volk Field, Wis. July 19, 2012. PATRIOT 2012 is an annual National Guard emergency response training exercise comprised of more than 1,100 military and civilian personnel. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ralph J. Kapustka)

PATRIOT 12

Air National Guard firefighters from the Wisconsin and Tennessee Air National Guard practice vehicle extraction procedures during PATRIOT 12. National Guard units from 15 states are participating in the exercise which is being held at Volk Field, Wis. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ralph J. Kapustka/Released)

The 148th Fighter Wing announces Afghanistan deployment

148th Fighter Wing Commander Col. Frank Stokes speaks with Renee Passal during a press conference at the 148th Fighter Wing June 28, 2012. Stokes spoke about the upcoming deployment to Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, where the 148th Fighter Wing is scheduled to put their new Block 50 F-16s to the test. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ralph J. Kapustka.)

The 148th Fighter Wing announces Afghanistan deployment

148th Fighter Wing member Senior Airman Michael Sirois speaks with Wade Petrich during a press conference at the 148th Fighter Wing June 28, 2012. Sirois and his fellow Bulldogs are scheduled to deploy to Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan for about two months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ralph J. Kapustka.)

We are all Americans

Maj. (Ret.) Joe Gomer and more than 200 family, friends and community members attend a dedication ceremony June 23, 2012 at the Commemorative Air Force hangar, Duluth, Minn. A bronze life-sized statue of Gomer was unveiled, honoring his service and dedication during World War II. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Don L. Acton.)

We are all Americans

Maj. (Ret.) Joe Gomer, a Tuskegee Airman and Duluth native, looks at the statue dedicated to his service in World War II during a ceremony at the Commemorative Air Force hangar, Duluth, Minn. June 23, 2012. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Don L. Acton.)

148th Fighter Wing member visits World War II Memorial

U.S Senator Amy Klobuchar greets 85 World War II veterans at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C. Tuesday May 15, 2012 during their day tour. Senators Klobuchar and Franken expressed their gratitude to the veterans for their service and sacrifices. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Scott G. Herrington.)

148th Fighter Wing member visits World War II Memorial

Members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment perform the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as World War II veterans from northern Minnesota and Wisconsin watch Tuesday May, 15, 2012. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was one of many stops for the veterans during their day trip to Washington D.C. (National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Scott G. Herrington.)