In this powerful episode, we welcome Brigadier General Hargens and Senior Master Sergeant Eddy to the podcast for a deep dive into the leadership journey, strategy, and innovation shaping the Nebraska National Guard. Brig. Gen. Hargens shares how he went from farm life to Joint Force Headquarters, the Guard's four lines of effort, the tactical focus of our force, and how the Guard continues to make a unique impact at both the state and federal level.We also spotlight recent Guard successes, from groundbreaking fabrication work at the 155th Metals Tech Shop to Wahoo’s readiness center expansion, the 170th’s first unit deployment, and more. Plus, we preview upcoming events, talk summer safety, and share how you can be part of the show!Lastly, we remind you about summer safety and the 101 Critical days of Summer.
🎧 Listen now on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Podbean, and more.💬 We want to hear from you!
Have topic ideas or want to be a co-host or guest on the podcast? Use this anonymous link and let us know who you are, how to reach you, and what you’re interested in. https://forms.gle/6o6XwnJWgJXs77Bm6👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your fellow Airmen!  Help give Nebraska a bigger push in the Podcast arena and grow.

Gig Eagle Part 2, New Co-Host, and Big Events Ahead! Welcome back to The Phantom Fuel Podcast! In this episode, RJ is joined by a brand-new co-host, Jarell, who brings his experience from the Chaplain Corps to the table. Get to know Jarell as he shares his military journey, plus a special moment from 2024 that earned him national recognition!Then, we’re diving into Part 2 of our Gig Eagle interview with Chief Hruby and Captain Winkie. If you thought Part 1 was eye-opening, wait until you hear how Gig Eagle is already making an impact, modernizing outdated practices, and shaping the future for Airmen in Nebraska and beyond. And if you haven’t created your profile yet, now is the time! Head to GigEagle.mil from a CAC-enabled computer to get started.Also in this episode:
Big recognition for Nebraska’s own Cara Loken, the 2024 Air National Guard Spouse of the Year!
Upcoming events – from the Open Hangar event (April 17) to the Lincoln Marathon (May 4) and even a 5K on base during April Drill!
101 Critical Days of Summer – As we gear up for warmer months, let’s talk safety and preventing unnecessary mishaps.
👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your fellow Airmen! Please leave your feedback, we need it to help develop this podcast to your needs, we’d love to hear from you.
Feedback - https://forms.gle/6o6XwnJWgJXs77Bm6GigEagle - https://www.GigEagle.mil

In this episode, we welcomed our very first co-host, James, to the Phantom Fuel Podcast! We got to know more about his journey in the Nebraska Air National Guard, what keeps him motivated, and his perspective on the opportunities the Guard provides. The highlight of this episode is our part 1 of 2 series , Gig Eagle, a powerful platform that helps Airmen leverage both their military and civilian skills for gigs across the world. Chief Hruby and Captain Winkie breaks it all down, showing us how this tool can open doors for professional growth. If you haven’t explored it yet, check out GigEagle.mil from a CAC-enabled computer to create a profile!
We also took a moment to honor some incredible retirees who have left a lasting impact on the Nebraska Air National Guard especially: ✨ Chief Horne – 40 years of dedicated serviceTo everyone who retired this month and prior, Thank you for your service and leadership! On top of that, we celebrated major milestones at the 155th and 170th—from the successful March exercise to the 170th standing up their first Guard-only **correction - in the podcast we said KC-135 this should have said Sortie - our apologies** and a Maintenance Change of Command Ceremony. Our teams are achieving amazing things, and this podcast is here to share those stories.
📢 Next month, we’ll be finishing up our two-part series on Gig Eagle—trust us, you won’t want to miss it!🎧Listen now and let us know what you think - comments and reviews are very much needed - Do not forget to leave a review and a comment to help give Nebraska a voice in the Podcast arena!!! 💬Give your feedback here: https://freesuggestionbox.com/pub/czttzin
Thanks for tuning in—stay safe, stay connected, and keep fueling the mission! #PhantomFuelPodcast #GigEagle #AirNationalGuard #YourVoiceMattersLinks & Resources:https://gigeagle.mil/ Feedback Link - https://forms.gle/7dRT1avHGGa8CG1L9⁠https://www.militaryonesource.mil/⁠https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaNationalGuard•⁠https://ne.ng.mil/About-Us/Our-Forces/Nebraska-Air-National-Guard/

In this episode, we wrap up our inspiring two-part series on mentorship with Chief Hruby and Dr. Tammy Thompson, who share powerful insights on how mentorship transforms lives and strengthens our teams. We’ll also recap the epic 155th Christmas Party (yes, there was bull riding!) and share exciting updates, including the first 5K hosted by the 155th FSS team this April. Stick around for highlights on recent accomplishments within the Nebraska National Guard, including a national sniper title and major legislative wins for our members. Don't miss this month's inspiring stories and valuable updates — fuel your mission and stay connected with the Nebraska National Guard community. Listen now, like, subscribe, comment, and share! Thanks for tuning in to Episode 2 of The Phantom Fuel Podcast! Your feedback helps us improve. Take the time to turn on those alerts because next month, we’ll be talking about Gig Eagle. Trust us—you won’t want to miss how this can make a real difference in your personal and military career. Take care, stay safe, and keep fueling the mission! Links & Resources:
• Feedback Link
• Military OneSource
• Nebraska National Guard Facebook Page
• National Guard Website

Welcome to the very first episode of Phantom Fuel! This podcast is a product of the Nebraska Air National Guard Innovation Team and is designed to connect, communicate, and strengthen our community. In this inaugural episode, we: - Kick off a two-part series on mentorship with a conversation between Dr. Tammy Thompson and Chief Hruby, exploring how mentorship fosters personal and professional growth. -Share important winter safety tips, covering everything from travel precautions to mental health awareness. -Highlight the amazing work of Airmen within the Nebraska Air National Guard and beyond, showcasing stories of teamwork, training, and community impact. Your feedback is critical as we shape this podcast for you! Use the links below to share your thoughts, including what you enjoyed, what you’d like to hear more of, and any ideas for future episodes. Be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your fellow Airmen, your families and anyone else that could benefit from a great mentorship discussion! Together, we’ll fuel the mission and strengthen our connections. ________________________________________ Links & Resources: •Feedback Link: https://freesuggestionbox.com/pub/czttzin •Military OneSource: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/ •Nebraska National Guard Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaNationalGuard •National Guard Website: https://ne.ng.mil/About-Us/Our-Forces/Nebraska-Air-National-Guard/