25th Anniversary of Operation DEEP FREEZE

109th aircrew and aircraft maintaners cut a cake in celebration of the unit's 25th year flying missions to Antarctica in support of Operation DEEP FREEZE at Stratton Air National Guard Base on March 21st, 2013. (USAF Photo by MSgt Willie Gizara/Released)

NY Air Guard returns from Antarctica

Maj Joshua Hicks, a pilot with the 109th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard, is interviewed by local media after flying an LC-130 aircraft from Antarctica back to New York. The wing has just completed its 24th year supporting National Science Foundation operations throughout the continent of Antarctica. (U.S. Air Force photo by MSgt. Willie Gizara/Released)

Many hands make light work

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. -- New York Air National Guard members of the 109th Airlift Wing from Scotia, N.Y. volunteer their time to assist FedEx driver Don Pelletier load Christmas Trees here at Ellms Christmas Tree Farm Dec. 7. Nearly 20 Airmen volunteered to assist in the annual "Trees for Troops" loading of about 150 donated trees bound for military installations and families around the country and the globe. U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Colette Martin, 109th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard. (RELEASED)

Major Sean Gary makes it look easy

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. -- New York Air National Guard members of the 109th Airlift Wing from Scotia, N.Y. volunteer their time to assist FedEx driver Don Pelletier load Christmas Trees here at Ellms Christmas Tree Farm Dec. 7. Nearly 20 Airmen volunteered to assist in the annual "Trees for Troops" loading of about 150 donated trees bound for military installations and families around the country and the globe. U.S. Army photo by Col. Richard Goldenberg, New York Army National Guard. (RELEASED)

Senior Airman Brianna Tator makes sure this tree gets a card made by local school kids

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. -- New York Air National Guard members of the 109th Airlift Wing from Scotia, N.Y. volunteer their time to assist FedEx driver Don Pelletier load Christmas Trees here at Ellms Christmas Tree Farm Dec. 7. Nearly 20 Airmen volunteered to assist in the annual "Trees for Troops" loading of about 150 donated trees bound for military installations and families around the country and the globe. U.S. Army photo by Col. Richard Goldenberg, New York Army National Guard. (RELEASED)

A1C Charles Dingle helps Trees for Troops effort

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. -- New York Air National Guard members of the 109th Airlift Wing from Scotia, N.Y. volunteer their time to assist FedEx driver Don Pelletier load Christmas Trees here at Ellms Christmas Tree Farm Dec. 7. Nearly 20 Airmen volunteered to assist in the annual "Trees for Troops" loading of about 150 donated trees bound for military installations and families around the country and the globe. U.S. Army photo by Col. Richard Goldenberg, New York Army National Guard. (RELEASED)