Spc. Jessica Farringer and Spc. Walter Sharp of the
Spc. Jessica Farringer and Spc. Walter Sharp of the Washington National Guard’s 506th Military Police Detachment receive guidance from police services officer Jesus Martinez-Lopez on unusual locations that inma... More
Col. William Krueger (center), 225th Air Defense Group
Col. William Krueger (center), 225th Air Defense Group commander, shows Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander, the technology the Western Air Defense Sector was using during the 9/11 attac... More
UTUADO, Puerto Rico – Washington Air National Guardsman
UTUADO, Puerto Rico – Washington Air National Guardsman Master Sgt. Richard Dessert travels the treacherous roads near Utuado in order to deliver Hurricane Maria relief supplies Oct. 5, 2017. Dessert volunteere... More
Members of the U.S. Coast Guard 13th District (Seattle)
Members of the U.S. Coast Guard 13th District (Seattle) and the Western Air Defense Sector take a group photo in from of the WADS mascot, Bigfoot, after a morning of search and rescue cross-talk. Pictured from ... More
AMALGAM EAGLE 18 exercise planners from the Mexican
AMALGAM EAGLE 18 exercise planners from the Mexican Air Force, U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Army receive a Western Air Defense Sector mission briefing May 22,... More
Canada wins the 23rd annual Canada USA Hockey Classic
Canada wins the 23rd annual Canada USA Hockey Classic 8-1. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Kimberly D. Burke)
Capt. Drew Nevins of the Washington National Guard’s
Capt. Drew Nevins of the Washington National Guard’s 506th Military Police Detachment provides a boost to one of his soldiers, Spc. Jennifer Staley, who uses the extra height to check a ceiling vent for damage ... More
BAYAMONCITO, Puerto Rico -- Washington Air National
BAYAMONCITO, Puerto Rico -- Washington Air National Guardsman Master Sgt. Richard Dessert provides satellite phone capability to Roberto Diaz to call his son in the continental United States to let him know tha... More
Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander,
Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander, recognizes Tech. Sgt. Brian Kulp, 225th Air Defense Squadron weapons director, with a commander's coin for the critical role he played during the Aug... More
Lt. Col. Matthew Wappler, Western Air Defense Sector's
Lt. Col. Matthew Wappler, Western Air Defense Sector's Canadian Detachment commander, presents representatives of the local Habitat for Humanity chapter with money raised from the annual WADS U.S. vs Canada Hoc... More
WADS members and community partners pose for a photo
WADS members and community partners pose for a photo during the 8th annual Operation Turkey Drop, Nov. 16, 2017. Operation Turkey Drop helps ease financial burdens of holiday expenses for Airmen and Soldiers o... More
Community partners and Airmen from the Western Air
Community partners and Airmen from the Western Air Defense Sector participate in the 8th annual Operation Turkey Drop Nov. 16, 2017. Operation Turkey Drop helps ease financial burdens of holiday expenses for A... More
Lt. Col. Eric Corder, assistant director of operations
Lt. Col. Eric Corder, assistant director of operations for the 225th Air Defense Squadron, greets members of the Guatemalan Air Force Aug. 25, 2017. As part of the State Partnership Program visit, Corder levera... More
WADS able to scramble jets faster after lean improvement process
Brig. Gen. Jeremy Horn, commander of the Washington Air National Guard, shared the stage for about an hour with Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy, who emphasized the value of performance audits; Department ... More
Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander,
Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander, recognizes Tech. Sgt. Aaron DeCremer, 225th Air Defense Squadron weapons director, with a commander’s coin for the critical role he played during the... More
Canada wins the 23rd annual Western Air Defense Sector's
Canada wins the 23rd annual Western Air Defense Sector's Canada USA Hockey Classic 8-1. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Kimberly D. Burke)
Col Gregor J. Leist, Western Air Defense Sector commander
Col Gregor J. Leist, Western Air Defense Sector commander and Lt. Col. Matt Wappler, Canadian Detachment commander, drop the puck for the start of the 23rd annual Canada USA Hockey Classic. Canada dominated wit... More
Lt. Col. Eric Corder, assistant director of operations
Lt. Col. Eric Corder, assistant director of operations for the 225th Air Defense Squadron, discusses air defense intercept concepts with the Guatemalan Air Force as part of the State Partnership Program. The S... More
Lt. Col. Michael Bartoldo, 225th Air Defense Squadron
Lt. Col. Michael Bartoldo, 225th Air Defense Squadron joint interface control officer, answers questions concerning how WADS conducts air defense and the technology used on a daily basis while visiting the oper... More
UTUADO, Puerto Rico – Washington Air National Guardsman
UTUADO, Puerto Rico – Washington Air National Guardsman Master Sgt. Richard Dessert travels the treacherous roads near Utuado in order to deliver Hurricane Maria relief supplies Oct. 5, 2017. Dessert volunteere... More
Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, Director of the Air National
Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, Director of the Air National Guard, recognizes Master Sgt. Dawn Kloos, 225th Air Defense Group, for recently being named the First Air Force First Sergeant of the Year. Rice spent the da... More
Canadian Warrant Officer Richard Martin takes a moment
Canadian Warrant Officer Richard Martin takes a moment to show off his newly acquired official mess gavel that Canadian Capt. Stephen Buckley was unable to secure properly as the President of the Mess Committee... More
Spc. Jessica Farringer of the Washington National Guard’s
Spc. Jessica Farringer of the Washington National Guard’s 506th Military Police Detachment, finds a contraband pen, one that has been made more rigid and could be used as a weapon, at the Hoquiam jail, June 9, ... More
Lt. Col. Brian Bergren, 225th Air Defense Squadron
Lt. Col. Brian Bergren, 225th Air Defense Squadron director of operations, discusses lessons learned from Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts with Capt. Sean Cross, U.S. Coast Guard 13th District chief of inciden... More
Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander,
Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander, recognizes Staff Sgt. David Jacob, 225th Air Defense Squadron weapons director, with a commander’s coin for the critical role he played during the Au... More
Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, Director of the Air National
Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, Director of the Air National Guard, recognizes Master Sgt. Daniel Raile, 225th Support Squadron, for his key contributions to the maintenance and operations of the WADS' power plant. Ric... More
Master Sgt. Donald Pierce, 225th Air Defense Squadron
Master Sgt. Donald Pierce, 225th Air Defense Squadron air surveillance technician, answers Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander, questions during his visit to the Western Air Defense Sect... More
Boone named American Red Cross Hometown Hero
Aaron Boone, finance specialist for the Western Air Defense Sector, donates blood platelets Oct. 5 at the Armed Services Blood Bank Center Pacific Northwest. He was named an American Red Cross Hometown Hero for... More
Senior leaders of the Royal Thai Armed Forces take
Senior leaders of the Royal Thai Armed Forces take a group picture in front of the Western Air Defense Sector buidling Sept. 12, 2018. They received a tour of the WADS operations floor and power plant in orde... More
AMALGAM EAGLE 18 exercise planners take a group photo
AMALGAM EAGLE 18 exercise planners take a group photo in front of the Western Air Defense Sector Air Park May 22, 2018. AMALGAM EAGLE 18 is a tactical exercise which is designed to enhance mutual warning and in... More
A top performer at the Western Air Defense Sector had
A top performer at the Western Air Defense Sector had the opportunity to meet the Air Mobility Command’s senior leaders during a visit to Joint Base Lewis-McChord April 6. Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, left, Ai... More
General Carlton D. Everhart II, right, Air Mobility
General Carlton D. Everhart II, right, Air Mobility Command commander, receives an update on the Western Air Defense Sector’s capabilities from Col. Gregor J. Leist, middle, WADS commander, during a tour of the... More
WADS wins USO Northwest All American Oh-Pin bowling tournament
The Western Air Defense Sector wins the second annual USO Northwest All American Oh-Pin bowling tournament May 24. The Golden Bowling Pin trophy was presented to Michael Doing (from right to left), Elisa Layto... More
The 225th Air Defense Squadron members exchange unit
The 225th Air Defense Squadron members exchange unit coins with the Guatemalan Air Force during their State Partnership Program visit to Guatemala in August. The SPP links a state's National Guard with the arm... More
Lt. Col. Matthew Wappler, Canadian Detachment commander,
Lt. Col. Matthew Wappler, Canadian Detachment commander, and Warrant Officer Gilles Turgeon, salute during the Veterans Day program at Tahoma National Cemetery.
Capt. Jake Allenton, 225th Air Defense Squadron senior
Capt. Jake Allenton, 225th Air Defense Squadron senior director, answers Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander, questions during his visit to the Western Air Defense Sector, Joint Base Lew... More
Chief Master Sgt. Allan Lawson, Western Air Defense
Chief Master Sgt. Allan Lawson, Western Air Defense Sector Senior Enlisted Leader, greets Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander, as he arrives to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington Aug. ... More
Big Buffaloes from Barbarian Flight win the Western Air Defense Sector...
Big Buffaloes from Barbarian Flight win the Western Air Defense Sector’s 2016 Top Scope competition. Team members are Staff Sgt. Anthony Milton, air surveillance technician; Senior Airman Matthew Stephens, tra... More
AMALGAM EAGLE 18 exercise planners tour the Western
AMALGAM EAGLE 18 exercise planners tour the Western Air Defense Sector operations floor May 22, 2018. Col. William Krueger (far right), 225th Air Defense Group commander, answers questions from the group. AMALG... More
Capt. Nicholas Rhodes, WADS air battle manager, takes
Capt. Nicholas Rhodes, WADS air battle manager, takes detailed notes while he communicates with a Hurricane Harvey victim via her cellphone. Rhodes coordinates with an orbiting AWACS surveillance aircraft to co... More
Members of the Royal Thai Armed Forces visit the Western
Members of the Royal Thai Armed Forces visit the Western Air Defense Sector power plant Sept. 12, 2018, as part of the State Partnership Program in order to learn more about how the U.S. conducts air defense an... More
U.S. wins WADS Softball Challenge Cup 25-10
U.S. wins the Western Air Defense Sector's U.S. vs Canada Softball Challenge Cup by a final score of 25-10. Col. William Krueger, 225th Air Defense Group commander (center), and Chief Master Sgt. Allan Lawson, ... More
WADS members pose for a photo during the 8th annual
WADS members pose for a photo during the 8th annual Operation Turkey Drop, Nov. 16, 2017. Operation Turkey Drop helps ease financial burdens of holiday expenses for Airmen and Soldiers on Joint Base Lewis-McCh... More
Western Air Defense Sector senior leadership welcomes
Western Air Defense Sector senior leadership welcomes Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, Air Mobility Command commander, during his visit to Joint Base Lewis-McChord April 6. Everhart received a tour and mission bri... More
Spc. Jennifer Staley of the Washington National Guard’s
Spc. Jennifer Staley of the Washington National Guard’s 506th Military Police Detachment, inspects a mattress pad, looking for rips and tears and possible hiding spots for contraband at the Hoquiam jail, June 9... More
UTUADO, Puerto Rico – Washington Air National Guardsman
UTUADO, Puerto Rico – Washington Air National Guardsman Master Sgt. Richard Dessert travels the treacherous mountainous roads near Utuado in order to deliver Hurricane Maria relief supplies Oct. 5, 2017. Desser... More
Lt. Gen. Pierre St. Amand, deputy commander for North
Lt. Gen. Pierre St. Amand, deputy commander for North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), speaks with Col. Gregor Leist, Western Air Defense Sector commander, during the Canadian Mess Dinner April 15 at... More
WADS Welcomes New Canadian Detachment Commander
Canadian Brig. Gen. Sylvain Menard (center), Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Region (CONR) deputy commander, presides over the Canadian Detachment Joint Base Lewis-McChord change of command. L... More
The 2nd Canadian Air Division Commander’s Unit Commendation
The 2nd Canadian Air Division Commander’s Unit Commendation citation is presented to the Western Air Defense Sector during the Canadian Mess Dinner April 7 for providing critical live and virtual training to Ca... More
UTUADO, Puerto Rico – Richard Dessert, a Washington
UTUADO, Puerto Rico – Richard Dessert, a Washington Air National Guard master sergeant, unloads emergency kits to residents in the remote mountain areas around Utuado Oct. 5, 2017. Dessert volunteered to deploy... More
Western Air Defense Sector, Director of Support, Col.
Western Air Defense Sector, Director of Support, Col. William A. Krueger, receives the 225 Support Squadron guideon from Brig. Gen. John S. Tuohy, Washington state assistant adjutant general - Air, during the a... More
Sgt. Rafael Weyrauch and Spc. Walter Sharp, Soldiers
Sgt. Rafael Weyrauch and Spc. Walter Sharp, Soldiers from the Washington National Guard’s 506th Military Police Detachment, stand guard at the back door of the Hoquiam jail, June 9, 2016, while Police Services ... More
Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, Director of the Air National
Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, Director of the Air National Guard, recognizes Capt. Peter Hickman, 225th Air Defense Squadron, for recently being named a U.S. Air Force Weapons School Top Graduate and First Air Force ... More
The WADS team of Capt. Nicholas Rhodes (from left to
The WADS team of Capt. Nicholas Rhodes (from left to right), Maj. Matthew Horrocks, Staff Sgt. Kayla Sharpe, and Capt. Gregory Firestone coordinate expeditiously with an orbiting AWACS aircraft and joint termin... More
Members of the WADS Canadian Detachment await the beginning
Members of the WADS Canadian Detachment await the beginning of the Veterans Day program at the Tahoma National Cemetery. Pictured from front to back are: Capt. Todd Rose, Capt. Patrick Morris, Capt. Mark Hynes,... More
Spc. Jennifer Staley of the Washington National Guard’s
Spc. Jennifer Staley of the Washington National Guard’s 506th Military Police Detachment, looks for contraband as she shakes out the blankets of inmates at the Hoquiam jail, June 9, 2016, while police chief Jef... More
UTUADO, Puerto Rico – Washington Air National Guardsman
UTUADO, Puerto Rico – Washington Air National Guardsman Master Sgt. Richard Dessert travels the treacherous roads near Utuado in order to deliver Hurricane Maria relief supplies Oct. 5, 2017. Dessert volunteere... More
New Canadian detachment commanding officer joins Western Air Defense S...
Canadian Brig. Gen. Alain Pelletier (center), deputy commander Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Region-First Air Force (CONR-1AF), presides over the Canadian Detachment Joint Base Lewis-McChord... More
Canadian Brig. Gen. David Cochrane, 2nd Canadian Air
Canadian Brig. Gen. David Cochrane, 2nd Canadian Air Division commander, is greeted upon landing by 62nd Airlift Wing and Western Air Defense Sector leadership April 6. As part of Cochrane’s official visit to J... More
WADS provides air defense for Super Bowl 52
The Western Air Defense Sector’s Battle Control System-Fixed illustrates the Federal Aviation Administration’s temporary 30-mile radius flight restricted area around U.S. Bank Stadium for Super Bowl LII in Minn... More
Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander,
Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander, visits the Western Air Defense Sector, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington Aug. 23, 2018. O'Shaughnessy met with the WADS operations crew that prov... More
Western Air Defense Sector, Director of Support, Col.
Western Air Defense Sector, Director of Support, Col. Paige T. Abbott, receives the 225th Air Defense Squadron guidon from Brig. Gen. John S. Tuohy, Washington state assistant adjutant general - Air, during the... More
Senior leaders of the Royal Thai Armed Forces take
Senior leaders of the Royal Thai Armed Forces take a group picture in front of the Western Air Defense Sector mascot, Bigfoot, Sept. 12, 2018. They received a tour of the WADS operations floor and power plant... More
Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, left, Air Mobility Command
Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, left, Air Mobility Command commander, presents Staff Sgt. Elisa Layton with a commander's coin for being a Western Air Defense Sector (WADS) Star Performer. Layton is a RF Transmis... More
Canada wins the 23rd annual Western Air Defense Sector's
Canada wins the 23rd annual Western Air Defense Sector's Canada USA Hockey Classic 8-1. Team Canada players are Todd Rose #5, Kenneth Mui #8, Curtis Berkman #12, Marcelo Plada #14, Richard Martin #4, Gilles Tur... More
Members of the WADS Canadian Detachment gather after
Members of the WADS Canadian Detachment gather after the Veterans Day program at the Tahoma National Cemetery. First Row (R-L) - Brig. Gen. Michel-Henri St-Louis (I Corps deputy commanding general-operations), ... More
Western Air Defense Sector, newly appointed 225th Air
Western Air Defense Sector, newly appointed 225th Air Defense Group Commander, Col. Ronald D. Harmon, receives applause after his official assumption, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, May 2, 2015. WADS is responsible ... More
Maj. Gen. Bret Daughterty, The Adjutant General for
Maj. Gen. Bret Daughterty, The Adjutant General for Washington, greets Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, NORAD and USNORTHCOM commander, as he arrives to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington Aug. 23, 2018. O'Shaugh... More