JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Brad Payton, an HC-130J Combat King II crew chief with 176th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, inspects a 211th RQS HC-130 Oct. 4, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Payton recently completed Mission-Essential Skills Training following technical school and is pursuing a civilian career in aviation maintenance. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by David Bedard/Released)