Cruising Into Retirement

Brig. Gen. Richard Moss pins Ann Kranz, at her retirement ceremony in June. Mrs. Kranz completed 36 years of federal service, of which 19 were served with the 403rd Wing. Family and friends joined her at Vrazels restaurant to celebrate and show appreciation for her hard work and dedication. She was awarded the Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award by General Moss and received a letter of appreciation from the Department of the Air Force signed by President George W. Bush. This marks the end of a more than remarkable career. Mrs. Kranz began her federal service career at the Keesler Commissary in 1971 and quickly excelled leading to several promotions at 81st Medical Center and other agencies on the base. She first worked for the 403rd Tactical Airlift Wing as a budget analyst in 1991 and left the Wing for two years from 1998-2000 to serve at Headquarters, Pacific Air Force, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Since returning, she spent her last seven years with the 403rd as the Financial Analysis Officer where she held great responsibilities. "I?ve kept a job since I got out of high school and never really had quality time. Now, I get to spend time with my family and visit with friends for lunch with no worries about limited time," said Mrs. Kranz. "I?ve always enjoyed reading and I?ve been able to just kick back and read book." She and her husband, Michael, are currently gearing up for a cruise on the Queen Mary II. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Tabitha Spinks)

Wing Inspection Prep Begins with Volk Exercise

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Before the enginese start, First Lt. Fred Sonnier, Capt. John McKee and Maj. Sharon Sims, all of 403rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, buckle in for takeoff aboard a C-5 Galaxy flown by the 433rd Airlift Wing in support of a training mission to Volk Field, Wis. during the April UTA. Nearly 350 people from the wing teamed up with the 433rd AW for week-long training. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Tabitha Spinks)

Shovel, Hydrate, Gas, All Clear

VOLK FIELD, Wis. -- Hydrate -- Hydrate -- Hydrate! Airmen who travelled to Volk Field for training in April got used to the "giant voice" over the public address system calling out this important reminder at least once an hour and then even more frequently as the Mission Oriented Protective Posture Levels increased. Chaplain (Maj.) Ray Thompson, wearing the latest ORI fashions in eyewear and body armor, takes a big swig from his canteen early in the training. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Maj. Chad Gibson)

Shovel, Hydrate, Gas, All Clear

VOLK FIELD, Wis.. -- Members of the 403rd Wing arriving here were greeted with their first official task of the deployment -- filling sandbags. Senior Master Sgt. Lisa Baldelli, NCOIC, 403rd Services Flight, got a little more than her share on the shovel filling six sandbags before she was able to hand it off to the next person. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Michael Duhe)

Self-Aid and Buddy Care

Maj. Ty Piercefield, a pilot with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, volunteered to serve as a "patient" during Self-Aid and Buddy Care class for people from the 403rd Wing. The major's "injury" was an open leg fracture which required students to apply a splint to immobilize the limb.

Play Ball!

MOBILE, Ala. -- Brig. Gen. Rich Moss, commander, 403rd Wing, throws out the first pitch at the opening night baseball game for the minor league Mobile Bay Bears at Hank Aaron Stadium. The inaugural Air Force Reserve Night at the ballpark included a flyover by a C-130J-30 from the 815th Airlift Squadron known as the 'Flying Jennies' and the national anthem sang by Senior Airman Shanika Boswell of the Chaplain's office. The Mobile Bay Bears are the double-A minor league affiliate for the Arizona Diamondbacks The Bay Bears went on to defeat the Chattanooga Lookouts by a score of 5 to 4. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. James B. Pritchett)