MORRIS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ariz. -- The 162nd Wing formalized an educational partnership with Pima Community College's Aviation Program through the dedication of the "Air National Guard" classroom within the program's expanded hangar facility.
The 162nd Mission Support Group, under Col. Ryan Avery, MSG commander, and Mr. Clint Awana, MSG deputy, coordinated the classroom sponsorship as part of Pima Aviation's infrastructure expansion.
The dedicated classroom displays operational imagery from 162nd Wing missions, providing program participants exposure to Air National Guard capabilities and career fields. The facility serves Pima Aviation's expanded curriculum within their new hangar complex.
"This classroom sponsorship represents our long-standing commitment to developing the aviation workforce that supports both civilian industry and military readiness," said Avery. "These students are learning the foundational skills we need across our aviation specialties to support functions that keep our F-16 training mission and homeland defense operations running effectively."
The partnership includes three thousand dollars in scholarships administered through the 162nd MSG to support student completion of aviation technical programs.
The effort builds on relationships maintained by Tech. Sgt. Sophie Stewart, 162nd Recruiting Flight chief, and Master Sgt. Matthew Garcia, 162nd Wing retention office manager, who coordinate ongoing relationships with Mr. Jason Bowersock, Pima Aviation director, and program faculty to establish the framework. These connections create pathways for students to understand how civilian aviation education can support military aviation careers.
"This collaboration creates valuable exposure for Air National Guard career opportunities within the aviation education community," said Stewart. "By maintaining this educational relationship, we're building connections with students who may become the mission-ready Airmen that support our training operations and global contingency missions.”
The collaboration reinforces the Air National Guard's unique community connection, citizen-Airmen who live and work in the communities they defend. By supporting local educational institutions, the 162nd Wing strengthens both its operational capability and community ties.
"The 162nd has been an invaluable partner to our Aviation Technology Program, providing real-world perspective on how technical education translates to operational requirements," said Bowersock. "Their classroom sponsorship and scholarship investment demonstrate the direct connection between civilian aviation education and military mission capabilities. This effort gives our students exposure to career pathways that support both industry and national defense objectives."
The 162nd MSG delivers comprehensive support operations for the largest full-time force in the Air National Guard. Spanning multiple mission-critical specialties, these dedicated professionals ensure Airmen maintain readiness for the world-class F-16 flying training mission and enable seamless deployment of personnel in support of combatant commander objectives worldwide.
The 162nd Wing conducts homeland defense operations and provides personnel and equipment for global contingency operations, requiring technical proficiency across multiple aviation specialties and support functions.