Friday, August 7, 2026 l Vol. 51, Number 32
SERVING TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE AND THE MILITARY COMMUNITY OF SOLANO COUNTY
FINAL MISSION FOR ‘SILVERBACKS’ Page 3
BEVERLY SENTINEL 26-4 Page 4
TRAVIS
COMBAT ARCHER UK 2026 Page 5
TAILWIND A product of Daily Republic
SKIBIRD
SHOW
Master Sgt. Jamie Spaulding/U.S. Air National Guard file
An LC-130H Skibird assigned to the 109th Airlift Wing sits on the flightline during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Oshkosh, Wis., July 23. The Experimental Aircraft Association’s
annual fly-in convention showcases military, commercial and general aviation through aircraft displays, educational programs and aerial demonstrations.
New leader takes helm at Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento U.S. Coast Guard Southwest District Public Affairs
Kenneth Abbate/U.S. Air Force file
Col. Brandon Shroyer, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, far left, addresses airmen assigned to the 60th Civil Engineer Squadron during a commander’s coin presentation at Travis
Air Force Base, July 29. Shroyer highlighted the leadership, technical competence and teamwork demonstrated during two wildland fires that threatened Travis AFB in June.
Travis Fire Emergency Services honored for wildland fire response
SACRAMENTO — Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento held a change of command ceremony Friday, marking the transfer of leadership from Capt. Bradford Apitz to Capt. Patrick Dill. Rear Adm. Jeffrey Novak, commander of Coast Guard Southwest District, presided over the ceremony in which Dill assumed command following Apitz tenure as the air station’s commanding officer. Apitz served as the air station’s commanding officer from June 2024 to July 2026. During his tenure, he transformed strategic vision into tactical action, leading the Coast Guard’s largest operational HC-27J fixed-wing unit, managing $214 million in assets and a $1.8 million budget. Responsible for protecting more than 1,200 miles of coastline, Apitz’ superb leadership resulted in more than 250 border security patrols, 443 days deployed, and 54 search and rescue cases with seven lives saved See Dill, Page 2
Kenneth Abbate/U.S. Air Force file Airman Zayd Anderson/U.S. Air Force file
Don Richert, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron fire emergency services assistant chief, receives a coin from Col. Brandon Shroyer, 60th AMW commander, during a commander’s coin presentation at Travis Air Force Base, July 29. Richert received a coin for his support of firefighting activities against fires that threatened the installation in June.
Col. Brandon Shroyer, left, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, presents a commander’s coin to Airman 1st Class Ethan Taitingfong, 60th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, at Travis Air Force Base, July 29. Taitingfong used his previous wildland firefighting experience to help guide suppression tactics and prevent the fire from spreading toward installation assets.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Kenneth Wiese/U.S. Coast Guard file
Coast Guard Capt. Bradford Apitz shakes hands during a unit inspection at Air Station Sacramento in McClellan Park, July 31. Following the inspection, Coast Guard Capt. Patrick Dill was formally recognized as the new air station commander during a change of command ceremony.