Capt. Yaakov B. Bindell (right) poses with Chaplain's Assistant Spc. Hans Widig (left), West Virginia Army National Guard and Philadelphia Police Chaplain Alan Edward (center). Photo courtesy Capt. Yaakov B. Bindell, 108ARW/HC.

Capt. Yaakov B. Bindell, a chaplain with the 108th Air Refueling Wing spent the month of October in Louisiana where he provided
spiritual support for the Jewish members of the armed forces
during the “High Holy Days” – Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Upon arriving at Belle Chase Naval Air Station, New Orleans, La., Chaplain Bindell began providing religious services and counsel for all the troops, a mission he was proud to be a part of.

“It was a very fulfilling mission,” Chaplain Bindell said. Chaplain Bindell worked with everyone from Air National Guard members to local authorities to New Jersey state troopers who were there helping as well. Many troops spoke to Chaplain Bindell of how important they felt their mission was.

“(They said that) this was the most fulfilling, giving mission they had ever been involved with. They all had gleaming eyes. They felt like heroes,” he said.

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108th Dedicates Medical Building
By Senior Airman Robbie Finley, 108 ARW/PA

The 108th Medical Group dedicated its new medical building Oct. 23 in a ceremony held at McGuire Air Force Base.

The new building was dedicated to the memory of Col. Aldo G. Baldi, a former 108th Medical Group commander and the New Jersey state air surgeon.

Among Col. Baldi's family members attending were Maj. Michael Baldi and Capt. Alessandro Baldi, who are 108th members. Speakers included retired Maj. Gen. Richard Cosgrave, former commander of the New Jersey Air National Guard, and Brig. Gen. Maria Falca-Dodson, Deputy Adjutant General for New Jersey.

“He firmly believed the United States was the most generous country in the world,” said. Gen. Falca-Dodson. She also noted that the new medical building is the only Air National Guard medical building designed as a joint building, which was part of Colonel Baldi’s vision for the new facility.

Col. Baldi’s widow, Marilyn, with her family beside her, and Col. Michael Cunniff, 108th commander, removed the veil to reveal to the world for the first time the new name of Building 34-66: The Col. (Dr.) Aldo G. Baldi Medical Building.

The 108th, the 514th (Reserve) and the 305th (active-duty Air Force) Air Mobility Wings will share the new medical facility.