Page 2 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, March 4, 2022

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Airman’s 20-year path to service epitome of resilience COMACC visits 99 ABW; Airmen showcase innovative support

by Capt. Kara Crennan trucks, which can support over 1,500
by John Ingle weeks of BMT, including the constant Nellis AFB, Nev. flight line personnel.
Sheppard AFB, Texas movements of running and physical The 99th Civil Engineer Squadron
fitness, going to appointments, tasks to Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air is likewise accelerating support for
Sometimes the best things in life are complete, etc. He noticed he was getting Combat Command, visited Nellis Air Airmen and recently found an inno-
worth waiting for. Others are worth tired more often, but thought it was be- Force base, Nev., Feb. 6-10 2022. vative solution for the dorm shortage
fighting for. cause he was approaching 40 years old. During his visit, Kelly met with 99th occurring on base. In partnership with
The combination of the two, however, He said he didn’t stop and continued to Air Base Wing leaders and received an Hunt Housing, 99th CES had 30 family
requires a deeper commitment and fo- push himself to persevere, even as those interactive brief on new installation housing units set aside for unaccompa-
cus that is unwavering and resolute. A half his age had to bow out. efforts occurring on base. nied Airmen; these homes provide an
certain resiliency in pursuit of a goal is The Napa, California-born Oklahoma The 99th ABW brief, facilitated by opportunity for up to 34 young Airmen
often what separates good from great. transplant said he was summoned to the Col. Joshua DeMotts, 99th Air Base to transition out of the dorms into safe
Senior Airman Michael McCullough medical clinic more than three weeks Wing vice commander, showcased housing options.
is an example of that dogged mentality into BMT to re-do some blood work that Airmen from the 99th Security Forces “The 99th Air Base Wing has a dy-
and his desire to don the Air Force blue came back questionable. McCullough Squadron, the recently constructed namic job of supporting Airmen from
and serve his country. His story is the said the doctor at the clinic asked him Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical diverse career fields across Nellis,” said
Air Force photograph by John Ingle
epitome of the type of resiliency the Air Then-Airman 1st Class Michael McCullough poses on the about his physical training and if he was Center’s emergency room and the new Kelly. “After meeting and talking with
Force encourages. From fighting weight Ground Instructional Training Aircraft ramp at Sheppard passing out, to which he replied, “No.” Nellis Crosswinds Dining Facility, these Airmen, it’s readily apparent that Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Combat Command (left), Master Srgt. Jorge Reyes, 99th
issues to single-parenthood to a serious Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 28, 2021. McCullough’s journey McCullough’s iron levels were ex- projected to open this spring. this wing leans forward to find inno- Security Forces Squadron flight chief, Tech. Sgt. Gerald Graffell, 99th SFS flight sergeant
medical condition and Father Time to join the Air Force began 20 years ago after the events tremely low, prompting an emergency “The 99th Air Base Wing takes pride vative solutions to provide world-class and Lt. Col. George hern, 99th SFS commander, pose for a photo after discussing the
working against him, his glide path to of 9/11 and included losing more than 200 pounds and blood transfusion and hospital stay for in how we maintain a future focus,” support to our warfighters.” immersions of the two Airmen into the Las Vegas Metro Police Department Academy at
military service has been turbulent, to overcoming health issues. He graduated as the first a few days. He said he was released back said DeMotts. “We know that resources Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Feb. 7, 2022. The two
say the least. student to “ACE” the 365th Training Squadron’s Bomber/ to his squadron, but after just one night are limited, so we look to execute our partook in the LVMPD academy to earn new
“The ‘nevers’ and ‘always’ and ‘give Special Avionics Surveillance Course. To earn the “ACE” back, he was put on medical hold. He mission of support through innovative skillsets to help train the 99th SFS members.
ups’ were echoed a lot from other peo- distinction, students must pass each block of instruction said he didn’t want to be in medical hold ideas and collaborative efforts with
ple,” he said, adding some would throw with a 100-percent average. because that typically means someone is our community partners that will pay LEFT: Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Ishmael, 99th
in the obligatory comment that at least Courtesy photograph going home. dividends in the long run.” Medical Group Emergency Services section
he had tried. “I’m sorry, but I just don’t RIGHT: Now-Senior Airman Michael McCullough poses in this photo from more than 20 “I didn’t want to go home,” he said. “I A collaborative effort showcased to chief, briefs Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of
think that’s good enough … You can’t years ago. McCullough’s desire to serve in the Air Force took him on a 20-year-journey of wanted to be an Airman.” Kelly was the integration of two Air- Air Combat Command, on how the newly
just stop because something gets hard determination and resiliency, which resulted in his graduation from the 365th Training He fought for about two months to men assigned to the 99th SFS into the expanded Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical
or something is impossible. If it’s right Squadron’s bomber/special avionics surveillance course and an ACE award for scoring remain in the military as he was treated Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Depart- Center Emergency Department allows Air
and something that’s meaningful and 100 percent in each block of instruction. for his iron deficiency and did his own ment Academy where they graduated Force medics to evaluate and treat civilian,
you can make a difference doing it, then research into healthier living to further alongside civilian police officers this non-DOD patients in an effort to increase
you’ve got to just keep going.” “I was obviously not in top shape at couldn’t — wouldn’t — leave his daugh- improve his condition. In the meantime, past fall. This program has continued access to critical care in military communities
McCullough, now an avionics Air- all to even qualify to go,” he said. “They ter, Gabrielle. the waiver process was moving forward. and provide training platforms to support
man with the 513th Maintenance Squad- looked into it and tried, and they said Then he met his current wife, Julie, Although he felt better and his lab to strengthen the partnership between medic readiness at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.,
Nellis Security Forces and the LVMPD
ron at Tinker AFB, Okla., began his resil- there was no way unless — I mean, I who encouraged him to continue his pur- values were improving, he received word and facilitates the development of op- Feb. 7, 2022. Kelly visited the 99th Air Base
ient quest to conquer obstacles in his way would have to be half the person I was suit. The couple married Nov. 17, 2018. that his waiver had been denied. He was Wing to witness firsthand how Airmen are
more than 20 years ago with the terror just health-wise.” The naysayers? That was a different sent home Aug. 4, 2020. erationally focused defenders who are supported through innovative initiatives.
attacks on the United States. As a music And so, his lengthy journey to serve story. But it wasn’t unfamiliar and he He was also informed that he was two credentialed police officers.
major in college, he and friends were began. He said his grandfather and had heard the comments throughout his months away from aging out of being able Another effort highlighted was the
watching events unfold on a television, uncles served, and he had a desire to life. McCullough said he has a stubborn to enlist in the Air Force, and it would recent completion of the MOMMC
much like many other Americans that follow in their footsteps, but it required streak in him — always has. take six months to a year for his iron Emergency Room, which expanded
day. He had been in New York roughly a lifestyle change and a commitment to “My whole life, I take those struggles levels to get to where they needed to be. 7,000 feet in size and now services
a month before. something greater than himself. and obstacles and change them into op- What his stubborn ears heard, though, civilian patients from 14 different
He said it was difficult to comprehend Like any commitment to do something portunities. As a teacher, that’s what I was he had two months to get his body zip codes in the Las Vegas area. Kelly
what was happening at the time. Then challenging, ups and downs, twists and teach my students, because we’re always and blood levels right to continue his toured the state-of-the-art facility
the emotions of what to do began to turns and a variety of roadblocks littered going to have those struggles,” said the journey, and he was up to the challenge. and learned how Air Force medics
swirl. Doing nothing didn’t seem like his path to blue. He said he spent the better band director at Capitol Hill Middle McCullough said he continued a strict are servicing more patients, to include
the right thing, so he and some friends part of a decade trying to get his weight School in Oklahoma City. “But they don’t diet and physical fitness to continue im- civilians, allowing them to maintain
decided they were going to join the down by using natural techniques instead have to be struggles. You can use them as proving, but a request to the Air Force clinical readiness skills needed in
military. of surgeries. Fifteen years after 9/11, Mc- a platform to go someplace.” Surgeon General was denied. combat.
But, there was a problem. A big one. Cullough was healthy to serve, married That someplace for then-39-year-old He said it was a difficult period for him “To cultivate and maintain our goal
McCullough was overweight, and not by and had a daughter. But a divorce put him McCullough was Air Force basic military because his mind and body was ready to of providing world-class support to our
just a little. He said he stopped weigh- on full-time single-parent duty. training at Lackland AFB in San Anto- go, but the medical waiver process was many Nellis mission partners we have
ing himself in college when he hit 377 It seemed as though his dream of nio, Texas, on June 15, 2020. to first take care of our Airmen,” said
pounds. serving was nearing an end because he McCullough recalled his first couple _____ See ReSilieNCe, on Page 8 DeMotts.
The 99th Force Support Squadron
is at the forefront of taking care of
Airmen by changing the way food
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