ANG Director visits 144th FW Published Feb. 10, 2023 By Staff Sgt. Mercedes Taylor 144th Fighter Wing FRESNO AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, CA -- U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Loh paid a visit to the California Air National Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing where he engaged with Airmen during their drill Feb. 4, 2023, at the Fresno Air National Guard Base. Accompanied by his wife, Dianne, as well as Brig. Gen. Steven Butow, California Air National Guard commander, and Brig. Gen. Jeremiah Cruz, California Air National Guard assistant adjutant general - Air, Loh held an all call for the Airmen, and engaged with various sections of the 144th FW during a tour of the base. During the all call, Loh spoke to Airmen about how the Air National Guard and the 144th FW are responsible for executing the current National Defense Strategy and how Airmen can tell their Air Force story. “You bring national defense to the Homeland and to your local community,” Loh said. “Nobody understands what you do for national defense, except you. When you get done with this drill weekend, tell them [your family, friends and employers] what you did for national defense and explain to them how they are part of this fabric of national defense.” After the all-call, Loh, Butow, Cruz, and Col. Christopher Clark, 144th FW commander, toured the 144th Maintenance Squadron hangar, the 194th Fighter Squadron, and the 144th Civil Engineering Squadron Fire Department. “I’m very proud of my team,” said Master Sgt. Miguel Diaz, 144th Maintenance Squadron metals technology supervisor. “It was a privilege to show Lt. Gen. Loh the capabilities and accomplishments of the metals technology shop, especially since it takes a lot of dedication and passion to become proficient in this complex field.” On the other side of the base, Mrs. Dianne Loh visited the offices involved with the Care Team. The Care Team is made up of the base Chaplain, the director of the Military Family Readiness Center, and the director of Psychological Health. Mrs. Loh met with them to discuss the roles the offices fulfill in the Air Force mission and to provide additional knowledge and resources on how to better support Airmen “We discussed the breadth and width of engaging Airmen and leadership, their families, and other authorized personnel via an entirely regular drill status guardsman shop,” said Maj. Clayton Diltz, 144th FW chaplain. “Specifically, we focused on the blessings of the Strong Bonds programs, the significant successes the 144th FW, and the challenges [we encounter while performing our duties].” Loh and his wife later joined 144th FW top-performing Airmen for lunch. The Airmen discussed possible opportunities for their career advancement within the National Guard. The 144th FW is one of three California Air National Guard bases Loh has visited. Loh plans on visiting more bases across the country to continue to express his appreciation for Airmen and educate them on Air National Guard priorities and their role in remaining ready to support National Defense.