U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. George Bender, 168th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Chief, tattoos Brian Dianoski, Fairbanks resident, at Sublime Line Tattoo shop in Fairbanks, Alaska, Sept. 27, 2023. The word GRIT was part of the art piece and stands for determination and courage to push through any challenge or obstacle with guts, resilience, initiative, and tenacity. Bender serves as a Chief Master Sgt. in the 168th Wing, 168th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron in the Alaska Air National Guard at Eielson Air Force Base, and during his off-duty hours away from the unit, he delves into his love and passion for art as a professional tattoo artist in Fairbanks, Alaska. Over the years, Bender has drawn and developed designs for the KC-135 Stratotanker nose art, unit patches, and various projects for unit organizations such as Top 3. His art is currently on the Maintenance Group unit patch worn on the shoulders of all the MXG members, representing their pride in their maintenance craftsmanship. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)

U.S. Air National Guard, ANG, senior leaders in a group photo at the end of the day at Berry Field Air National Guard Base in Nashville, Tennessee, Jan 23, 2024. ANG, senior leaders attended the Atlantic Region Strategic Planning System to tackle problems facing their states. (Photo was edited with exposure and vibrance.

A group of volunteers from the 168th Wing helped Tanana Chiefs Conference to distribute 300 shelf-stable food boxes to 200 elders in 11 Interior Alaska Villages, Jan 17, 2023. TCC works with various community organizations monthly to distribute meals throughout Interior Alaska Villages. (Courtesy Photo)

Pennsylvania Air National Guardsman, Tech. Sgt. Aleia Hoffman, poses for a picture in the dining facility at the 171st Air Refueling Wing, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January 7, 2024. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Bryan Hoover)

Washington Guard and 194th Wing leadership stand next to a sign for the new 194th Wing Air Support Operations Group complex on Camp Murray, Jan. 4, 2024. The construction of the 56,000 square foot building is estimated to be complete by Oct. 2025. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Jordaan Kvale)

U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III's based our of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam performs a training sortie during Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 24-1 support, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Nov. 02, 2023. Realistic training exercises with our allies and partners, like JPMRC, strengthen defense relationships, foster multinational interoperability, generate readiness, and combat-credible fighter formations. JPMRC 24-1 includes over 5,300 training participants from across the U.S. Joint Force, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Thailand. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy)