Page 5 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, July 9, 2021

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57th leadership visit security forces at main gate Reserve Airman serving with Pride

Nellis Public Affairs Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.,
Main Gate. by Natalie Stanley
On June 24, 2021, Gen. Mi- They provided the Defend-
chael Drowley, 57th Wing com- ers with cold refreshments and Nellis AFB, Nev.
mander, Chief Master Sgt. Raul temporarily relieved them of “I am a black man; I am a gay man; I am a queer man; I
Villarreal, 57th Wing Com- their duties by assisting them am a married man. I have a lot of titles, but I am not defined
mand Chief, surprised 99th with checking IDs and greet- by any one title.”
Security Forces Airmen at the ing visitors. Senior Master Sgt. Ashley Metcalf, 926th Force Support
Squadron sustainment services flight chief, said he celebrates
Pride Month because he is proud of being his whole self.
“I spent so much of my life trying to be like everyone else,
to be someone else, to hide from the thing that I thought
people wouldn’t like,” said Metcalf.
For him the month of June is about more than a social
media post, a drag show, a pride parade, or even parties; it’s
about a group of Airmen being seen after years of exclusion.
Having served under the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy,
Metcalf said erasing past hurts and creating a culture of
inclusion is not an overnight accomplishment.
“There has been no narrative for gay people, actually
no, the only narrative was bad,” he said. “This group was
Brig. Gen. Michael Drowley, 57th Wing excluded for years by law, by regulation, by guidance, and
Commander, speaks with Master Sgt. Eric it can be hard for the population to adjust.”
Rogers, 99th Security Forces Squadron flight Hiding such a major part of his life for so many years was
chief, about SFS daily operations, June 24, a lonely and painful road for Metcalf, one where he said he
2021. often felt excluded and dehumanized.
Air Force photographs There was even a time in his military career when others
LEFT: Chief Master Sgt. Raul Villarreal, 57th Brig. Gen. Michael Drowley, 57th Wing viewed him simply as, “the gay one.” Air Force photograph
Wing command chief, checks Nellis team Commander, checks a Nellis team member’s ID Senior Master Sgt. Ashley Metcalf, 926th Force Support Squadron, sustainment services flight chief, during an LGBT+
member’s ID at the Main Gate, June 24, 2021. at the Main Gate. June 24, 2021. See pridE, on Page 7 Panel event for Pride Month, June 23, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

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