Page 2 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, June 11, 2021

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raised on resiliency: 926th Wing welcomes new commander

by Natalie Stanley Ma j . G e n. B r ya n
Radliff, 10th Air Force
how military parents shape their child’s experiences Nellis AFB, Nev. commander, passes
Reservists at the 926th Wing said fare-
the 926th Wing guidon
well to Col. Sean Carpenter and welcome to Col. Sean Rassas, the
by Staff Sgt. Ryann Holzapfel in 1996, but I don’t have memories of those could see our families again. That time is to Col. Sean Rassas, during a change of incoming 926th Wing
Yokota AB, Japan times. What I do remember is him deploy- still yet to come. command ceremony June 13, 2021, at commander during a
ing twice for year-long rotations. Elijah John Miller was born at the Yokota Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. change of command
When I was 14 years old, at least once a During the times my dad was gone for Air Base Hospital, Oct. 8, 2020, at 6:32 a.m. Carpenter relinquished his command ceremony, June 13,
week I would have dreams about anxiously deployments, things were different. We He was the most beautiful thing I’d ever of the 926th WG after nearly two years 2021, at Nellis Air Force
waiting for my father’s return home from his missed him and we kept going, but with a seen and we were so joyful, but we could and will now transition to Air Combat Base, Nev. Rassis was
deployment to Iraq. In the dream, I would lingering feeling of something missing. Our only share this happiness with ourselves. It Command at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, previously assigned
be inside our home, full of excitement and family wasn’t complete. was a bittersweet moment. Brendan and I Va. to the 944th Fighter
ready to welcome him with a huge hug. We made sure to write letters and send were so happy to have this brand-new baby “I have been lucky to serve the Citizen Wing, Luke AFB, Ariz.,
He walked in the door and suddenly I care packages full of Diet Pepsi and com- in our lives, but longed to share that joy with Airmen of the 926th Wing as command- serving as the vice
would realize he didn’t recognize me, and pressed air cans for all the sand he encoun- the people we were closest to. er, they have amazed me every day and Air Force photograph by Senior Aireman Brett Clashman commander.
Air Force photograph by Staff Sgt. Kyle Johnson
sometimes, he didn’t even acknowledge tered. Our family would go to Red Cross My husband and I were dealt a hard Staff Sgt. Ryann Holzapfel, 374th Airlift Wing they are the true heroes,” said Carpenter.
me. Anxiety overwhelmed my body even events where they would set up webcams so situation and we handled it -- something I Public Affairs craftsman and her husband, The 926th WG consists of two groups,
though I was asleep. I felt pain in my chest you could video chat with a heavily pixelated didn’t realize in those moments. Although Staff Sgt. Brendan Miller, Armed Forces 13 squadrons and one detachment across was committed and honored to carry on Forces Requirements, Headquarters Air
as my heart ached. I would squeeze my eyes screen, but it was real-time -- something the situation felt unfair and challenging, Network Tokyo broadcaster, stand on the the nation and provides combat-ready the impressive coast to coast mission of Force, A5RC, the Pentagon, Arlington,
shut like I was crying before finally waking totally unheard of in 2011! We made sure we didn’t halt our lives because we couldn’t Yokota flight line with their six-month-old reservists to the United States Air Force the wing. Va. From October 2017 to September 2018,
up. I would feel hurt, being torn from such he was included in our daily lives by doing manage it. I’m sure our parents were handed son at Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 26, 2021. Warfare Center as sustained expertise Rassas also said he will ensure his he served as the F-16 evaluator, Deputy
a vivid dream because my dad still wasn’t activities that people didn’t normally have situations like these several times without us Holzapfel and Miller plan on visiting the U.S. integrated at the operational and tactical Reserve Citizen Airmen feel valued for Commander, 944th Operations Group,
there, and I couldn’t be comforted by the to do. ever knowing, but as kids we accepted and in the near future to introduce their son to levels of warfare. the sacrifices they make to the mission. Luke AFB, Ariz., and from August 2016 to Air Force photograph by Senior Aireman Brett Clashman
one person I longed to be there. With the long absences came hardships worked with what we were given. their families in person for the first time. Presiding over the event was the 10th “I will use this office to continue to October 2017, he served as the F-16 evalu- Maj. Gen. Bryan Radliff, 10th Air Force
As a military child, I didn’t realize what for our family, but when you don’t know I think childhood gave us a resiliency Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Bryan foster a culture and environment where ator, Commander, 69th Fighter Squadron, commander, shares remarks during the
I was facing wasn’t what other children my what normal is, you just accept the situation we fell back on during our pregnancy and P. Radliff, from Naval Air Station Fort every Airman is valued for their contri- Luke AFB. 926th Wing change of command ceremony,
age were experiencing. Now, I am a brand- and press forward. I think of how I never child’s birth. We see our son’s birth now way military children are shaped by their Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas. bution, regardless of pay status, rank, Rassas was born in Northfield, Ill., June 13, 2021, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
new mother and a dual military spouse. My felt we went without, or weren’t able to do as something very special just between us parents. I’m grateful to be able to fall back Rassas joins the 926th WG following creed or experience level,” said Rassas. and was commissioned in 1996 from The 10th Air Force operates across multiple
husband, Brendan, and I grew up as military something because we were in a single- because that’s what our upbringing instilled on the experiences I’ve had as a child as his time as vice commander of the 944th From September 2018 to July 2019, Ras- the United States Air Force Academy. In domains that include all fighter, bomber,
children in two very different ways, but both parent household during that time. If we did, in us. stepping stones to the new and challenging Wing, at Luke AFB, Ariz. sas served as the Individual Mobilization 1997, he earned his wings at Laughlin special operations, rescue, airborne warning
of us came to understand what it meant to I don’t remember it, which is not an easy feat We learned to take the challenges that scenarios the military presents to me as a During the ceremony Rassas said he Augmentee to the Director of Combat Air AFB, Texas, choosing to fly the F-16. and control, and combat operations.
be resilient. for any parent to pull off. come, work with what you have and then parent. I think all military parents should
My husband’s father was active duty in I never knew I would have my own look back on it as formative life experience. know the important work they are doing
the Air Force for 33 years, first as an enlisted military child. My husband and I moved Now that we are parents, our son is a and understand it isn’t easy. COMMAND, from Page 1 Force Weapons Instructor Course. He holds AFWC in July 2019. One of his primary
linguistics Airman and later commissioned to Yokota, Japan, when I was about eight military child. Brendan and I have about I texted my stepmom while writing this multiple masters degrees and a doctorate in objectives was the launch of a $500 million
into communications. During his child- weeks pregnant in February 2020 and we two years left on both of our enlistments. article to verify some timelines about my and critical to honing our warfighting edge philosophy. operational training and testing construc-
hood, Brendan lived all over the world, were so excited to start a family at our new Conversations about re-enlisting or extend- dad and when I did, I flashed back to those and accelerating the change that we need As a command pilot, Cunningham has tion project to facilitate fully integrated joint
homeschooling and attending schools in duty station. This was both of our parents’ ing enlistments used to just be about what times he was gone. to maintain our ability to fly, fight, win and more than 3,200 flight hours in the F-15C/D, and allied test, ensuring top-tier training
Japan, Uzbekistan, Portugal and all over first grandbaby! Our families all had plans we wanted for both of us, and now we have It felt like it was just the other day we deliver airpower anytime, anywhere,” he F-22A, F-16C/D, MC-12W and MQ-9. against adversary threats.
America. His dad deployed and went on to come visit Japan when he would be born to include our son and what is best for our were all together living without my dad and continued. “I’m absolutely honored to join you in “We are at a pivotal time in our nation’s
temporary duty assignments for various and we couldn’t wait to have all three new entire family. thinking about it made me a little sad as a Prior to taking command, Cunningham this critical mission in these dynamic times history. It is our Airmen who are going to
periods of times throughout his life. Bren- sets of grandparents meet him. I never considered before how being a mom and a wife. Those events were hard for served as the director of plans, programs and and am incredibly excited to continue Maj. carry us through this,” Corcoran said.
dan saw changes in his location through Then COVID-19 hit. military child is something that can really me, but my stepmom took on a huge respon- requirements for ACC. He received his com- Gen. Corcoran’s legacy of leadership in this “What we need to do as leaders is give
various moves, distancing him from his We went through my whole pregnancy build a strong foundation for children. The sibility and I think she did well. I think my mission in 1994 as a graduate of the U.S. Air important role,” said Cunningham. them the tools they need, give them the
extended family. separated from our families. I would send challenges that come with being a military dad took on a career that was demanding, Force Academy and is a graduate of the Air Upon his departure, Corcoran was pre- direction and guidance they deserve and get Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Bryan Guthrie
My experience as a military child was ultrasound pictures over messages; I would child come with so many rewards. but would not have done so if he didn’t think sented with the Air Force Distinguished out of the way. I am confident, 100 percent Col. Ryan Messer, 53rd Wing commander,
slightly different. My dad served as a reserv- show my pregnant belly to our parents over When you leave friends, you welcome our family was strong enough to handle it. Service Medal for his leadership of the US- confident, that going forward if we can do passes the guidon to Col. Jason Zumwalt,
ist in the Army on active and reserve orders video chat and we even had a virtual baby new ones. When you leave somewhere fa- I can only hope that I provide my child AFWC and Air Force initiatives, including that for them, they’ll deliver like so many the incoming 53rd Test and Evaluation
throughout his 28-year career as a logistics shower. miliar, you get to explore somewhere new with the same positive experience as I was the next generation air dominance force generations before. Like so many wonderful Group commander, at Nellis Air Force Base,
officer. I lived in Omaha, Neb., my whole life. Not only were we experiencing our entire and exciting. When you’re separated from able to have. My parents shaped my experi- development, advanced programs security generations, they’re willing to sacrifice, to Nev., June 17, 2021. Zumwalt took command
My dad worked a civilian job while first pregnancy without being close to our family, you learn how to have an extended ence as a military child. At the time, I did mitigation, full-mission simulation for a pay the price, bearing any burden to make of the 53rd TEG which is responsible for
leaving sometimes for weekends, or longer family, but now the odds of them coming family through other military members. All not know what I was experiencing would comprehensive test and training program, sure that our Air Force can continue to fly, delivering safe and effective tactics that
periods of time, for training. When I was to visit our newborn baby were dwindling. are hardships that you spin into something be something that would shape me into the and the Advanced Battle Management flight and win anywhere, anytime for our enhance the Combat Air Force’s lethality
only a few months old, he deployed for We were looking forward to the time positive for yourself. Airman, wife and mother I am today, and System. nation and for our like-minded allies,” he and executes Air Combat Command’s
Desert Storm for a year and again to Kosovo when travel restrictions would lift and we Now as a parent, I can also see the for that -- I am grateful. “Maj. Gen. Corcoran set the vision for concluded as he bid farewell. operational test and evaluation for 13
what Nellis and the Warfare Center enter- Corcoran’s next assignment is as the As- different airframes.
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Bryan Guthriee prise will be for years to come,” said Kelly. sistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations,
Desert Lightning News, So. Nevada edition is Department of the Air Force or Aerotech News and For all submissions, a name and phone number Col. Richard Dickens, 505th Command “He was instrumental to new weapons, new Headquarters Air Force at the Pentagon,
published by Aerotech News and Review, a private Review of the products or services advertised. of a person to contact must be included in the event and Control Wing commander, passes the weapons school instructor course standup which develops combat readiness, force of the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group,
firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force. Everything advertised in the publication shall be questions arise. guidon to Col. Aaron Gibney, 505th Combat and improved our operational test and management, Air Force policy and opera- 53rd Wing from Col. William Creeden.
Contents of Desert Lightning News, So. Nevada edition made available for purchase and use of patronage All material is edited for accuracy, brevity, clarity Col. Daniel Lehoski assumed command
Desert Lightning News Staff are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national and conformity to the AP Style Guide, to include Training Group commander, at Nellis Air training infrastructure. As a fourth- and tional test and training infrastructure.
Paul Kinison, Publisher, Aerotech News and Review by, Aerotech News and Review, the U.S. government, origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political military ranks and proper writing etiquette. Force Base, Nev., June 18, 2021. The 505th fifth-gen air superiority expert, he ensured In addition to the change in leadership of the USAF Weapons School, 57th Wing
Stuart Ibberson, Editor the Department of Defense or the Department of the affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the Corrections: Desert Lightning News staff CTG mission is to conduct operational that those generations of air superiority are at the USAFWC, several other changes of from Col. Jack Arthaud. Col. Aaron Gibney
Tinna Sellie, Editorial Layout members strive for accurac y each week . assumed command of the 505th Combat
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