Col. Clifford James
Col. Clifford James speaks to the Homewood Chamber of Commerce about the 117th Air Refueling Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard. Photo by Madoline Markham.
Col. Clifford James addressed the Homewood Chamber of Commerce about the 117th Air Refueling Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard at a Dec. 16 luncheon.
When it started in 1922, the wing was the first aviation unit in the state and the seventh in the nation. Today it is the longest continuing unit to use the same emblem, which came from the Birmingham family heraldry in England.
The wing occupies 145 acres near the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport for its primary mission to refuel and support the Air Force, Navy and Marines using a drogue refueling technique. It employs about 1,100 National Guard members in its wing and has about a $110 million annual impact on the community.
In 1961, the unit lost four pilots in the Bay of Pigs Invasion in Cuba. After Sept. 11, 2001, one of their planes was airborne every minute for 30 days straight to refuel plans.
“In a moment’s notice, they can run to the airplane like you see in the movies and be in the air in 15 minutes,” James said.
In addition to its federal role, the National Guard also serves the governor at the state level in peacetime.
When the April 27, 2011, tornadoes hit, the wing sent 75 Air National Guard members to Pratt City to protect people’s property and to help pass out food and water and clean up. They were also involved with Hurricane Katrina and Gulf Oil Spill relief efforts.
Also at the meeting, outgoing Chamber President Trey Schaefer recognized Executive Director Tricia Ford for her years of service; she retired at the end of 2014. Incoming Chamber President Merrick Wilson recognized the 2015 Chamber Board members: President Elect Mike Brandt, Immediate Past President Trey Schaefer, Secretary Patrick Barker, Treasurer Mandy Schwarting, Vice President of Business Development Walter Brown, Vice President of Community Affairs Jimmy Moore, Vice President for Government Affairs Stephen Preston, John Christopher Batts, Gary Kamenicky, Tricia Kirk, Brian McCool, Michael Morgan, Alan Patel, Steve Thomas and Bill Todd.
2014 Chamber Awards
Ambassador of the Year
Julia Benson, Advanced Eye Care
Chamber Member of the Year
Morgan Walls, Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center
Businesses of the Year
LAH Realty
Aabco Rents
Community Service Award
Tricia Kirk, The Exceptional Foundation
Preview of January Luncheon:
State of the City With Mayor Scott McBrayer
Tuesday, Jan. 13
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Club
Register at homewoodchamber.org
