MTANG family grows by six

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Soulsby
  • 120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office
The Montana Air National Guard conducted a mass enlistment ceremony on the flight line April 30 for new members of the unit.

Student flight, members of the MTANG, and friends and family came out to support the six newest members entering the organization.

Col. Thomas Mora, 120th Airlift Wing vice commander, administered the oath to Capt. Keven Ochs, 219th RED HORSE engineer, to continue his service as a commissioned officer in the MTANG.

After Ochs said his oath, he did an about face and lead five new enlistees, Joshua Oatman, fire protection; Staff Sgt. Shane Maichel, heavy equipment operator; Airman First Class Frank Frontado, security forces; Michael Hutton, fire protection and Staff Sgt. Devin Doskey, loadmaster, through the oath of enlistment with the backdrop of a C-130 Hercules and Montana's big sky.

"That was pretty cool," Ochs said. "I don't think I've done one that unique."

Ochs, Maichel, Frontado and Doskey transferred into the unit with prior service, but for Hutton and Oatman this is their first experience of military service.

"I was delivering water to the recruiting center and the recruiters wouldn't leave me alone," Hutton said jokingly.

The right job for Hutton was available and it was an easy decision to join.

"It was time for a little something different, becoming a firefighter has always been something I wanted to do," Hutton said.

The enthusiasm for belonging to the organization was felt by Ochs as well.

"I'm really happy to be in the RED HORSE again and look forward to be a part of it," Ochs said.

The MTANG family has grown by six Airmen and they will be trained and will contribute to the mission. Their past experience, fresh eyes and passion will continue to keep the MTANG a world-class organization.