Maj. Gen. Garry C. Dean, Continental U.S. NORAD Region-1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern) commander presents an ‘initial cadre’ patch to a technical sergeant assigned to the 286th Air Operations Group at Meridian Air National Guard Base, Miss. The commander distributed the one-of-a-kind patches to each member of the group during a stand-up ceremony held at the base April 8, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Susan A. Romano)