Sims among two receiving N.A.A.C.P. Presidential Choice Award

(l to r) Senior Master Sgt. Alvin Sims, Lt. Col. Janice McCall, 131st Bomb Wing commander Col. Greg Champagne, Lt. Col. Stephanie Boykin, and Lt. Col. Ryon Richmond attend the 49th annual Freedom Fund Dinner of the Jefferson City branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. (National Guard Photo by Sarah E. Lupescu).

Sims among two receiving N.A.A.C.P. Presidential Choice Award

Nimrod Chapel Jr., chapter president, presents Senior Master Sgt. Alvin Sims, 131st Bomb Wing, Missouri Air National Guard, with the Presidential Choice Award at the Jefferson City branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s 49th annual Freedom Fund Dinner. The Presidential Choice Award is given to an organization or individuals in the public or private sector in recognition of their commitment and dedication to equal opportunity, access, employment, diversity, community support and leadership. Sims was one of two Missouri Guardsmen to receive the award. (National Guard Photo by Sarah E. Lupescu)

Chief of Missouri Guard’s Joint Staff promoted to brigadier general

Newly promoted Brig. Gen. David W. Newman, gets “pinned” Sunday by his wife, Karen, and by Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, August 11. Newman serves as chief of the Missouri National Guard Joint Staff. (National Guard photo by Bill Phelan)

Two Missouri Air National Guardsmen join 1000 B-2 flying hours elite.

A close-up of the 1000 hours flying patch presented to Lt. Col. Dave Thompson and Maj. Geoffrey Billingsley, June 27. The patch is worn by all B-2 pilots who have achieved the 1000 flying hour milestone in the B-2. Only 31 pilots have ever reached 1000 B-2 hours, and just thirteen still actively fly the B-2 Stealth Bomber. Seven of these elite pilots are 131st Bomb Wing Missouri Air National Guard members at Whiteman Air Force Base: Lt. Col. Rhett Binger, Lt. Col. Mike Pyburn, Lt. Col. Dave Thompson, Maj. Jared Kennish, Maj. John Avery, Maj. Geoffrey Billingsley, and Lt. Col. Mike Means, who has over 1500 B-2 flying hours. (National Guard Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mary-Dale Amison. RELEASED)

Thompson joins 1000 B-2 flying hours elite.

The B-2 "Spirit of Ohio" returns from a training mission, June 27. Onboard, Lt. Col. Dave Thompson who, with this mission, surpasses 1000 flying hours in a B-2 Stealth Bomber. Thompson joins an elite group, which includes his co-pilot Maj Kennish. Just two weeks prior, Maj Geoffrey Billingsley also flew past the 1000 flying hour mark. Only 31 pilots have ever reached 1000 B-2 hours, and just thirteen still actively fly the B-2 Stealth Bomber. Seven of these elite pilots are 131st Bomb Wing Missouri Air National Guard members at Whiteman Air Force Base: Lt. Col. Rhett Binger, Lt. Col. Mike Pyburn, Lt. Col. Dave Thompson, Maj. Jared Kennish, Maj. John Avery, Maj. Geoffrey Billingsley, and Lt. Col. Mike Means, who has over 1500 B-2 flying hours. (National Guard Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mary-Dale Amison. RELEASED)

Thompson joins 1000 B-2 flying hours elite.

The B-2 "Spirit of Ohio" returns from a training mission, June 27. Onboard, Lt. Col. Dave Thompson who, with this mission, surpasses 1000 flying hours in a B-2 Stealth Bomber. Thompson joins an elite group, which includes his co-pilot Maj Kennish. Just two weeks prior, Maj Geoffrey Billingsley also flew past the 1000 flying hour mark. Only 31 pilots have ever reached 1000 B-2 hours, and just thirteen still actively fly the B-2 Stealth Bomber. Seven of these elite pilots are 131st Bomb Wing Missouri Air National Guard members at Whiteman Air Force Base: Lt. Col. Rhett Binger, Lt. Col. Mike Pyburn, Lt. Col. Dave Thompson, Maj. Jared Kennish, Maj. John Avery, Maj. Geoffrey Billingsley, and Lt. Col. Mike Means, who has over 1500 B-2 flying hours. (National Guard Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mary-Dale Amison. RELEASED)