Air Force Maj. (Ret.) Jerry Zimmerman, a former B-47 Stratojet pilot, rests against an aircraft during pilot training in 1958. Zimmerman originally enlisted in 1948 as a communication specialist before commissi More
(Left to right) Col. Jon T. Thomas, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, and Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., cut the ribbon for the opening of the new Digital Airport Surveillance Radar/ Radar Approach Control facilit More
Leon K. Pike, a U.S. Air Force veteran from the Vietnam era displays his Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer patches, uniform and hat during a 97th Civil Engineer Squadron herit More
Bernabe Mejorado Jr., 97th Maintenance Directorate work leader, rolls a tire into a tire-rack, Feb. 12, at one of the 97th MX's back-shops. Mejorado is an aircraft technician who completed the Grow Your Own Mec More
U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Leard, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, renders his first salute during the 97th AMW change of command, June 21, 2019, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. Leard earned his commission thr More
Col. Jon T. Thomas, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, speaks during the Air Installation Compatibility Use Zone Study meeting at the Southwest Technology Center May 26. An AICUZ study examines the air space mos More
A bio wall is built at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., in order to help filter out manmade chemicals from the groundwater. In 2007, these walls were specifically placed through the natural flow of groundwater so a More
Airman 1st Class Tomas Kuhn, Airman 1st Class Tyler Spurgeon, Senior Airman Cherice Bryant, Airman 1st Class Carl Franklin, Airman 1st Class Ross Whitley and Staff Sgt. Pedro Padilla, all from the 97th Air Mobi More
Senior Airman Donald Smith is the winner of the 97th Communications Squadron Senior Airman Below-the-Zone promotion.
Airman 1st Class Kyle Walden is the winner of the 97th Communications Squadron Senior Airman Below-the-Zone promotion.
Staff Sgt. Pavel Kovalchuk, 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron M-2 gunner, inspects the M-2 50-caliber weapons system July 25, Joint Base Balad, Iraq. This system is inspected by the squad every time More
Esley Holmes, 97th A&FRC community readiness technician speaks to children at an award culmination ceremony which recognized six "super savers" following the end of Military Youth Saves month at the Altus Air F More
Members from local emergency services alongside Altus Air Force Base first responders present a wreath during a 9/11 memorial ceremony and formation at the Wings of Freedom Park, Sept. 10.
Members of the Blue Knights Honor Guard perform the 21 gun salute during the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action ceremony, Sept. 17. The POW/MIA ceremony is held annually to remember those who have sacrificed th More
A formation of retirees, active duty Airmen and U.S. Air Force Academy cadets present arms during a “Past, Present and Future” themed retreat ceremony at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., prior to the start of a USA More
Senior Airman Joshua Newbrey, 97th Security Forces stands with his K9 near the rear of a Prisoners of War/Missing in Action ceremony formation Sept. 17. The POW/MIA ceremony is held annually to remember those w More
U.S. Army soldiers from Bravo Battery 1-14 Field Artillery "Steel Warriors," Fort Sill, Lawton Okla. attach chains to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during a training session aboard a U.S. Air Force More
Country music artist Trace Adkins performs for military service members and civilians during his USO tour to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Nov. 2. "Traveling on USO tours and visiting our nation's troops has been awe More
(R) Debbie Valerio rides a John Deer cotton picking machine on robins farm during a Farm Tour as part of Farm City Week, Nov. 3. Jackson County is Oklahoma’s number- one county in cotton production with a value More
Ashley Bubacz and her mother-in-law Linda Bubacz sit during a memorial service for Staff Sgt. Andrew S. Bubacz at the Altus Air Force Base Wings of Freedom Park, Nov. 23. Sergeant Bubacz died Nov. 12 while dep More
Col. Ty Thomas, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, renders a salute to Maj. Gen. Mark Solo, 19th Air Force commander, Dec. 1. General Solo visited Altus AFB to better understand the daily operations and challeng More
Laurie Salafia, Altus Child Development Center assistant chief, briefs Leah Thomas, wife of the 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, Patty Solo, wife of 19th Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Mark Solo, and Anthony Ra More
Lt. Gen. Douglas H. Owens, Air Education and Training Command Vice Commander, operates the Boom Operator Weapon System Trainer One during his visit to Altus Air Force Base, Dec. 6. Owens flew in the KC-135 Stra More
Chief Master Sgt. Raymond Smith, 97th Force Support Squadron, shakes hands with David Dickison, U.S. Army veteran, Dec 6. Altus Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 99 visited the Clinton Veterans Center to More
A 310th Fighter Squadron pilot connects an F-16 Fighting Falcon to a KC-135 Stratotanker for refueling Dec. 15, as part of exercise Cactus Starfighter. Refueling support came from a sole KC-135 Stratotanker out More
These are some of the snacks that are commonly found in snack bars and vending machines. These foods contain little nutritional value.
A remote controlled model C-17 Globemaster sits on the flight line in front of a full sized C-17 at Altus Air Force Base, Jan. 26. The model was built by Tech. Sgt. Phil Landram, 54th Air Refueling Squadron, an More
The 97th Civil Engineer Squadron here clears snow from the flight line to prepare for the reopening of training which was cancelled due to inclement weather Feb. 1. About 11 97th CES Airmen were responsible for More
Senior Airman Eric Hazlewood, 97th Logistic Readiness Squadron has simulated injuries applied to his leg by Tech. Sgt. Jerome Biscaino, 97th Medical Support Squadron, prior to becoming a simulated victim as par More
Capt. Alexandra Hernandez, a 97th Medical Operations Squadron dentist, uses a song to explain the importance of brushing teeth to children during an assembly Feb. 16 at Rivers Elementary School here. The childr More
Ten pallets of food and building materials in support of relief operations in Haiti, sit in a C-17 Globemaster III from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., before being delivered. The food and building materials were More
Senior Airman Steven Polachek, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron air transportation journeyman, explains to Brett Kelly how to operate a 60K Tunner loader Feb. 24. The loader demonstration was one of several st More
Capt. Jeremy J. Farlaino, 97th Training Squadron chief of C-17 wing training, reads flight plans on board a C-17 Globemaster III March 22, before departing in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn. Capt. Farlaino i More
Col. Jon T. Thomas, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, Dr. Joe Leverett, Altus Military Affairs Committee chairman, and Ashley Bubacz, widow to Staff Sgt. Andrew S. Bubacz, admire the memorial bench during the u More
Col. Jon T. Thomas, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, officially dedicates an area within the Wings of Freedom Park, April 7, as Combat Airmen’s Grove. The area, which includes several trees and a bench donated More
Col. Jon T. Thomas, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, bowls at the Galaxy Lanes Bowling Alley during the top three bowl-a-thon, April 15. The top three bowl-a-thon raised money in support of the Air Force Assis More
Brenda Austin, Chief Master Sgt. Bob Austin, 97th Air Mobility Wing command chief, Leah Thomas, and Col. Jon T. Thomas, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, greet Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., Air Education Training Co More
Airmen 1st Class Brandon Patterson and Paul Maginnis, 97th Training Squadron loadmaster students talk, with Chief Master Sgt. James Cody, command chief of Air Education and Training Command, about their trainin More
Base members and their families celebrate Easter in the cargo hold of a C-17 Globemaster III during sunrise sevice, April 24. Participants sang hyms during the service and listened to Capt. Timothy Sessions', More
Fort Sill's Bravo Battery 1-14 Field Artillery's fire a rocket from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, April 27. The HIMARS offers the firepower of a multiple-launch rocket system on a wheeled chassis. More
Master Sgt. Alberto Felix, 97th Communications Squadron superintendant of operations flight, and Senior Airman Nikita James, 97th Air Mobility Wing command section knowledge operations, observe the Health and W More
Eric Thayer, 97th Force Support Squadron section chief of the Airman and Family Readiness Center, runs across the finish line completing a physical fitness test May 9. Mr. Thayer has achieved perfect scores on More
Two Air Tractor Model 502 aircraft parked at King Agricultural Aviation Incorporated in the City of Altus May 13. These spray planes will be seen more frequently in the local area starting at the end of May. Sp More
Col. Jon T. Thomas, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, and Charlie Bedesem, owner of Charlie’s bar, cut the ribbon during the re-opening of the bar here May 13. Charlie’s bar was relocated to a larger facility t More
Staff Sgt. Timothy Westerlund, 97th Air Mobility Wing NCO in charge of civil law, helps students, Morgan and Megan Swain, act as judges during the 2011 Law Day event here May 17. Fourth grade students from Rive More
Staff Sgt. Matthew Treadwell, 97th Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of combat arms, watches the timer as Tech. Sgt. Erik Stratton, 97th SFS senior patrolman, shoots an M-9 during the Police Week Shoot Out More
Three C-17 Globemaster IIIs taxi down the run way preparing to take off for the Mobility Air Force Exercise May 18. Five C-17s and four KC-135 Stratotankers practiced executing airlifts and airdrops in medium t More
Senior Airmen Aaron Wisniewski and Lamiea Ezell, 97th Security Forces Squadron response force leaders; Airmen 1st Class Daniel Dean and Angel Collins 97th SFS response force members, participated in the team ob More
Staff Sgt. Stephen Hebblethwaite, 97th Security Forces Squadron unit education and training manager; Senior Airman Anthony McDaniel, 97th SFS unit deployment manager; Senior Airman Cassandra Whitworth 97th SFS More
Participants swim laps during the base sprint triathlon May 21. The fitness center hosted the second annual Sprint triathlon which included a 500-meter swim, 10-mile bike ride and a 3-mile run.
Volunteers at Altus Air Force Base load a flat bed truck with donated items for Joplin, Mo. residents, May 27, 2011. The city of Joplin was devastated by a tornado, May 22, 2011.
Airmen from Altus AFB and Altus community members attend a Memorial Day service, May 30, at the Altus cemetery and pay respect to military members who died while serving their country. Memorial Day began as a More
Lt. Col. George Holston, 128th Chaplain Detachment, offers a prayer for our nation during a Memorial Day Observance May 30. Holston is from Ocala, Florida, and deployed from Ft. Hood, Texas. The observance at d More
The 97th Air Mobility Wing Rodeo Red River Riders KC-135 Stratotanker Maintenance Team for the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo, hosted a barbecue fundraiser at the Freedom Community Center, June 1. The proceeds More
(Left to Right) Dakota Mccrite and Dave Davidson, construction workers Hedgecock Electric Co., Pensacola, Fla., work on a cement form June 2, 2011. Hedgecock Electric was contracted to help Altus Air Force Base More
Airman 1st Class Steven P. Lumpkins, 97th Civil Engineer Squadron structural apprentice, reinforces a cement block wall for the children's playground near Wings of Freedom Park by filling it with more cement, J More
Airmen 1st Class Mon Christian Zabala, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron material handling and equipment journeyman, checks for connections between wires on an ignition switch in a Hyster 10k Forklift, which wa More
Staff Sgt. Charles Eubanks, 97th Security Forces Squadron working military dog handler, and WMD Endy run an obstacle course at the base kennel June 9, 2011. The WMDs must maintain a 90 percent in drug finds and More
Capt. Greg Auerbach, 54th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker instructor pilot, and his German Shepherd, Ronnie, were one of three K-9 Search and Rescue handler volunteer teams from the Central Oklahoma More
Col. Anthony B. Krawietz receives the guidon from Maj. Gen. Mark S. Solo, commander, 19th Air Force at Wings of Freedom Park, June 23, during the change of command ceremony. Krawietz joins Altus AFB as the new More
Air Force Capt. Chris Pace, 58th Airlift Squadron instructor pilot, lifts a concrete atlas stone onto a pedestal during a strongman competition at CrossFit Havoc in Lawton, Okla. June 25. Pace is planning to bi More
A role player with simulated injuries is evacuated by firefighters from the 97th Civil Engineer Squadron during the mock radilogical base-wide exercise June 29, 2011. The exercise took place on the North ramp w More
Strongman Mark Kirsch holds a 54th Air Refueling Squadron patch while standing in front of a KC-135 Stratotanker from Altus Air Force base during the Battle Creek Air Show and Balloon Fesitval in Battle Creek, More
(Left to right) Col. Anthony B. Krawietz, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, Col. Casey D. Eaton, 97th AMW vice commander, Maj. David Key, United States Transportation Command, general's aid, and Barbara Bailey, More
Karl Leonard, 97th Medical Group exercise physiologist and Physical Training Leader course instructor, demonstrates for unit PTLs how to use ropes as an exercise tool during a PTL refresher course at the fitnes More
Airman 1st Class Joshua Verran, Senior Airmen Eric Hazelwood and William Martineau, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron air transportation specialists, chain a Humvee to the cargo deck of a C-17 Globemaster III d More
Staff Sgt. Matthew Treadwell, 97th Security Forces Squadron non-commissioned officer in charge of Combat Arms, guides an airman from the 97th SFS Rodeo team during a team practice at the Combat Arms shooting ra More
Multiple vendors served food samples to authorized customers during the food show at the Solar Inn Dining Facility, July 20, 2011. The customers provided feedback on a variety of products to help determine what More
Maj. P. Mike Stanifer (center), 97th Training Squadron assistant director of operations, gives a brief during the Air Mobility Command Rodeo send-off at Charlie's July 21, 2011. The members of the Altus AFB rod More
(Left to Right) Staff Sgt. Stuart Richmond and Airman 1st Class Joel Monroe, 97th Security Forces Squadron patrolmen, clear the M-4 with an M-203 attachment to ensure the safety of the weapon July 21. Richmond More
The 2011 Altus Air Force Base, Okla., Rodeo team stand in formation during the opening ceremony of the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo July 24, 2011. A total of seven teams from the 97th Security Forces Squadro More
Airmen 1st Class Joshua Sams, Scott Stickney, Eric Newland and Staff Sgt. Stephen Hebblethwaite, 97th Security Forces Squadron, Altus Air Force Base, Okla. Rodeo Team discuss their plan before competing in the More
(Left to right) Senior Airmen Eric Hazlewood, Bill Martineau, Airman 1st Class Joshua Verran, Staff Sgt. Michael Ladrigan and driver Staff Sgt. Eric Sims, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 2011 Air Mobility Co More
A 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo umpire speaks to Brian King, Robert Guber, Mike Proveaux, and Joshua Fraser, 97th Maintenance Directorate KC-135 Rodeo Team members from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., before the More
Jerome Bankert, 97th Maintenance Directorate engine mechanic, inspects the lever arm bushings on the actuator ring attached to the KC-135 Stratotanker engine July 28. This inspection is done as part of all majo More
Senior Airman Eric Hazlewood, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron Rodeo Team member from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., pushes it out during the 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo Challenge Course July 28, 2011. Durin More
The 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo Team from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., poses with the “Best Air Mobility Wing” award during the Closing Ceremony of the 2011 AMC Rodeo July 29. Team Altus won a total of 10 a More
Col. Anthony B. Krawietz, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, speaks to members of Altus' 2011 Air Mobility Command Rodeo Team and other spectators on the flight line here after returning from the 2011 AMC Rodeo More
Maj. Lauren W. Palagi (right), 97th Operations Group director of staff instructs pilot check-out students Capt. Kyle Vaughn (left), 21st Airlift Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, Calif., and Capt. Dan Anderson, More
Tyler Cobb (left) and Frederic Pitrat, 97th Force Support Squadron recreation specialists, use a torque wrench to change a broken propeller on a FSS fishing boat Aug. 11, 2011. These specialists conduct a weekl More
Staff Sgt. Christie Kidder, 97th Operation Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment continuation trainer, briefs a group of loadmaster and student pilots about survival in regions similar to the Altus area dur More
Soldiers from the 168th Brigade Support Battalion, Fort Sill, Okla. are trained on how to secure vital assets in a C-17 Globemaster III by Staff Sgt. Kyle Roen, 58th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, during a humani More
A remembrance wreath stands in front of the Jackson County Courthouse, Sept. 9, 2011. The wreath was placed in front of the courthouse by Altus emergency responders to include a firefighter and security forces More
Col. Anthony B. Krawietz, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, Col. Casey Eaton, 97th AMW vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Robert Austin, 97th AMW command chief, run beside the wing guidon while leading the More
Airman 1st Class Casey J. Noone, 97th Operations Support Squadron air traffic control apprentice, watches the airfield from the air traffic control tower Oct. 13, 2011. Noone was working the local control traff More
Daniel Bencomo, Black River Construction carpenter, saws a piece of wood to build a frame for a cement pad in base housing Oct. 19. Bencomo built the frame to make a new parking lot at a park in base housing.
Maj. Ben Kline, Air Mobility Command Detachment 2 chief of simulator certification and pilot assigned to the 54th Air Refueling Squadron, completes the pre-flight checklist with Tech. Sgt. Daniel Maas, 54th ARS More
(Left to right) Retired Maj. Francis Hunter, KC-135 Stratotanker navigator; Retired Maj. Forrest Cox, KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, Staff Sgt. Malcom Lee, 97th Operations Support Squadron boom operator, Capt. Davi More
Joe Kelly, owner of Kelly Farms, speaks to members of Altus Air Force Base about the importance of cotton production, Nov. 9, 2011, during the Farm City week tour. Farm City week is a chance for Altus community More
Col. Anthony B. Krawietz, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander, listens as Joe Kelly, owner of Kelly Farms, explains how a cotton picker operates, Nov. 9, 2011, during the Farm City week tour. Farm City week is a c More
Lori Miller, Southwest Technology Center bid assistance coordinator, helps Jill Owenby, SWTC director of public relations, put on Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear, Nov. 10, 2011, during the Farm City We More
Santa Claus delivered gifts to the families at the Tipton Home Dec. 12. Members of the 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron partnered with base chapel and wing members to sponsor a gift tree that provided families More
Tech. Sgt. James Partin, 97th Security Forces Squadron deployment manager, counts weapon holsters in the Security Forces mobility section Dec. 12. Partin checks the inventory to ensure the squadron has everythi More
Justin McCasland, a local agricultural finance representative, looks around the cockpit of a KC-135 Stratotanker during an orientation flight Dec. 13, 2011. Members of the Altus community were offered a flight More
Tech. Sgt. Robert Hammack, 97th Medical Group NCO in charge of optometry, conducts a vision test for Molly Golovach, during an eye exam at the Optometry Clinic, Jan. 3, 2011. Molly followed Hammack’s fingers wi More
Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Polesky, 97th Operations Support Squadron assistant Radar Approach Control chief controller, adjusts knobs on a GPN-20 radar scope Jan. 4, 2012. The GPN-20 radar scope is used to track aircr More
Master Sgt. Anna Nelson, 97th Medical Operations Squadron superintendent, administers a flu vaccine to Tech. Sgt. Rachel Bostic, 97th Medical Operations Squadron, Jan. 6, 2011. All U.S. military personnel are r More
Master Sgt. Crystal Spedding, 97th Medical Support Squadron superintendent and lab technician, adds water to quality control vials for glycated hemoglobin at the laboratory Jan. 10, 2011. Glycated hemoglobin is More
Senior Airman Justeen Swihart, 97th Medical Group bio environmental engineering technician, tightens gas mask on Airman 1st Class Don Nathaniel Wentzel, 97th Medical Group bio environmental engineering tech at More
Senior Airman Andre Hulsa (right) and Airman 1st Class Alex Cremeans (left), 97th Civil Engineering Squadron water, fuel, and maintenance journeymen, dig a hole to replace a broken wire at the Wings of Freedom More