187th Fighter Wing, Alabama Air National Guard

05/02/2026

Yesterday showed the pace. Today shows the system.

Airmen with the 187th Fighter Wing continued moving through deployment lines, validating the processes that take a force from notification to wheels up. Every stop, every checklist, every handoff matters when it’s time to move.

What you’re seeing here isn’t just admin. It’s accountability, coordination and repetition under pressure. It’s how we make sure the right people, equipment and information arrive where they’re needed, when they’re needed.

From initial processing to final checks, the focus stayed the same: ready Airmen, ready to deploy, ready to project combat power.

Alabama National Guard

05/01/2026

Readiness is built long before the call comes.

Airmen from the 187th Fighter Wing moved through a full readiness exercise at Dannelly Field, working accountability lines, processing stations, and equipment staging as part of deployment preparation. Every step is about speed, discipline, and making sure the right people and equipment are in place when it matters.

From personnel teams managing flow to Airmen preparing gear for movement, the focus stays the same: be ready to project combat airpower and support the mission wherever it’s needed.

Alabama National Guard

04/03/2026

This week, we are proud to feature Senior Airman Wesley Barber as our Red Tail of the Week! As an Aircraft Structural Maintenance Technician in the Maintenance Squadron, his 3 years of service have been marked by outstanding professionalism, initiative, and a deep sense of commitment to the mission.

Noted for being an extremely hard worker and very dependable, his recent accomplishments include playing a vital role in assisting the Tier 2 Corrosion Chief on our Red Tail F-35, showcasing his excellent teamwork. Outside of his duties, SrA Barber assists the elderly with outside tasks in his community. In his free time, he enjoys hunting and is also working to acquire his dream car, a 1970 Challenger R/T.

SrA Barber proudly continues the courageous legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, making significant contributions to the Alabama National Guard mission through his integrity, service, and excellence. His commitment to aircraft maintenance and teamwork is a direct contributor to a safe and mission-capable force.

03/26/2026

Congratulations to Staff Sergeant Dylan A. Cousins, an Airfield Management Operations Supervisor, 187th Operations Support Squadron, and this week's Red Tail of the Week! With 10 years of service, SSgt Cousins has shown exceptional leadership and dedication.

As an Airfield Management Operations Supervisor, he has made a significant impact on the unit. His recent accomplishments include successfully orchestrating the response to two aircraft emergencies, flight following 442 local sorties, inputting 126 flight plans, and completing 25 airfield inspections. He has been pivotal in enhancing Airfield Management operations by leveraging his prior USMC Air Traffic Controller experience to provide expert insight into air traffic procedures and strengthen overall airfield safety. In addition to his duties, he has volunteered over 75 hours with the Millbrook Fire Department.

SSgt Cousins proudly continues the courageous legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, making significant contributions to the Alabama National Guard mission through his integrity, service, and excellence. His commitment to airfield safety and operational efficiency is a direct contributor to a safe and mission-capable force.

03/24/2026

A dragon isnt the only thing that spits fire! 🔥

Read more: https://www.187fw.ang.af.mil/News/Display/Article/4441446/the-red-tails-owning-the-night/

03/20/2026

Congratulations to Staff Sgt. Samantha Drinkard, an Antiterrorism Program Manager, 187th Security Forces Squadron, and this week's Red Tail of the Week! With 6 years and 7 months of service, SSgt Drinkard has shown exceptional leadership and dedication.

As the Antiterrorism Program Manager, she has made a significant impact on the unit. Her recent accomplishments include conducting two antiterrorism classes, completion of an investigation, confiscation of an illegal weapon and responding to six alarm activations. She has been pivotal in training multiple members on Use of Force and conducting exercises to ensure vigilance. In addition to her duties, she is completing her bachelor's degree in psychology, maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

SSgt Drinkard proudly continues the courageous legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, making significant contributions to the Alabama National Guard mission through her integrity, service, and excellence. Her commitment to security and training is a direct contributor to a safe and mission-capable force.

03/18/2026

ANNOUNCEMENT!

If you notice some extra noise after the sun goes down this week, keep calm! It’s just the Red Tails putting in some late night training hours.

03/15/2026

The 187th Fighter Wing extends its deepest condolences to the families and units affected by the tragic loss of the KC-135 and its crew.

We honor their professionalism, dedication, and the ultimate sacrifice they made in service to our nation. Our thoughts are with their fellow Airmen and loved ones during this difficult time.

03/12/2026

Congratulations to A1C Joseph Kielar, an Electronic Integrated Systems Mechanic in the 187th Fighter Wing’s Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and this week's Red Tail of the Week!

A1C Kielar has served for 1.5 years and since returning from technical school has completed 70% of his Upgrade Training in under two months and earned zero findings on three Quality Assurance evaluations.

He proudly continues the courageous legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, making significant contributions to the Alabama National Guard mission through his integrity, service, and excellence. His commitment to compliance is a direct contributor to safe, mission-capable aircraft.

03/11/2026

The 187th Fighter Wing recently wrapped up Exercise Sentry South 26-2, proving our ability to project airpower from Dannelly Field while sustaining operations at our forward operating location.

Read More: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/559987/187th-fighter-wing-sharpens-their-combat-edge-during-sentry-south-26-2

02/18/2026

The 187th Fighter Wing welcomed Brig Gen Allison Miller, Air Component Commander, Alabama National Guard, for a tour at Dannelly Field. The purpose of the visit was to foster direct engagement and provide key leadership insights. During the visit, Brig Gen Miller honored four exemplary Airmen from the 187th Maintenance Group, Munitions and the 187th Mission Support Group, Civil Engineering with a commander’s coin, formally acknowledging their superior contributions to the wing's operations.

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

To our Airmen near and far, and the families standing with them this season – Merry Christmas and happy holidays. Your service and sacrifice matter, today and always.