Minnesota Air National Guard

I love it.

I was a, prior to that, I was a jet engine mechanic in the Minnesota Air National Guard.

So that's what kept me in Minnesota.

And once my nine years was up and I got back from Afghanistan, I was like, I'm out.

Joining us for these first three segments are Chief Warrant Officer 5, Erik Homme.

He's the command chief warrant officer for the Minnesota National Guard, and Chief Warrant Officer 2, Michael Volkmeier, of the Minnesota Air National Guard.

Chief Homme has built a long career in the Minnesota National Guard, culminating as the state's senior warrant officer advisor.

And Chief Volkmer, who enlisted in 2013, served on active duty for 10 years, joined the Minnesota National Guard in 2023, and is now recognized as Minnesota's first Air Force warrant officer since the warrant officer program returned to the Air Force.

Yeah.

He's been on before.

But, um, really, what, uh, w-what-- why did you wanna do this? You know, what led you from your career into wanting to do and be the first warrant officer back here in the Minnesota Air National Guard?

Right.

And I, uh, I, I called the, I called his office and the, uh, the secretary answered, and I said, uh, uh, "General Weaver's office?" I said, "Yes, ma'am.

This is, uh, this is Sergeant Goodale with the 133rd." And that's the 133rd Airlift Wing of Minnesota Air Guard.

Said, "Is, is General Weaver, is the general available, General Weaver available?" She said, "Just a moment, Sarge.

I'll put you through." So General Weaver answered the phone and said, "Sarge, what can I do for me, for you?" I said, "Sir, I got a question.

I got a favor." He said, "Okay, shoot." I said, "How would the New York Air Guard like to move the world's fastest airplane in a couple of your C-5s?" There was dead silence for probably about 10 or 15 seconds, which is, you know, in a lot of cases, an eternity.

And he says, "Do you mean the Blackbird?" And I said, "Yes, sir." He said, "When you're ready, you call Volhall." So I went, I went and tracked down Major General Al Schwab, who was my boss.

Said, "General Schwab, I wanna get a Blackbird for the Minnesota Air Guard Museum." He started laughing at me.

I said, "General, rather than laugh at me, how about giving me the opportunity to fail?" "Is that right, smarty? How are you gonna get it here? They don't fly.