Page 5 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, May 14, 2021

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Air Combat Command announces 2021 award winners Thunderbirds announce new commander

by Airman 1st Class Chloe Aaron Shanes The commander of Air Combat Command, Evaluation Squadron, to serve as Thunderbird 7,
JB Langley-Eustis, Va. Gen. Mark D. Kelly, has officially selected the next the operations officer for the 2021 and 2022 season
Gen. Mark D. Kelly, commander Thunderbird commander to lead the United States starting in June 2021. Yingling is an experienced
of Air Combat Command, on April Air Force Thunderbirds for the 2022 and 2023 A-10 pilot who has flown more than 3,000 flight
29 announced the recipients of ACC’s demonstration seasons. hours, including more than 1,000 combat hours.
2021 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Lt. Col. Justin Elliott, commander of the 59th Previously, Maj. Thomas Werner was selected
Year, First Sergeant of the Year Award, Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis Air Force to fill the Thunderbird 7 position for the 2021 and
Officer of the Year Award, and the Base, Nev., will become Thunderbird 1, the squad- 2022 show season; however, due to unforeseen as-
Civilian of the Year Award. ron’s commander and lead pilot next year. signment circumstances, Yingling will now fill the
Included in the winners list is Capt. As the two-fold duty title implies, Elliott will position. He will replace Lt. Col. Kevin DiFalco,
Chelsea L. Ross of the U.S. Air Force command a force of more than 120 enlisted person- who will become a commander of another Air Force
Advanced Maintenance and Muni- nel and 11 commissioned officers assigned to the squadron in June.
tions Operations School at Nellis Air team, along with leading all of the demonstration Thunderbird 12, the team’s public affairs officer,
Force Base, Nev. flights. will also be replaced and announced next month.
These awards are presented to the Elliott commissioned from Yale University in By design, the position openings are staggered,
Airmen excelling in specific acts of 2005 and became an F-15E pilot in 2007. He is a allowing the squadron to maintain continuity of
outstanding achievement, perfor- graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and experience and leadership.
mance and exceptionally meritorious logged more than 2,000 hours of flight time with
service. Air Force photograph by Airman First Class Zachary Rufus more than 255 hours of combat pilot experience. The commander of Air Combat Command, Gen. Mark
The other Outstanding Airmen of Capt. Chelsea Ross, U.S. Air Force Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations School, Nellis AFB, Nev., (third from right) was “This is incredible news for the Thunderbirds, D. Kelly, has officially selected the next Thunderbird
the Year Awards were presented in the recently named as the Air Combat Command Company Grade Officer of the Year. Team Nellis and the Air Force,” said Brig. Gen. Mi- commander to lead the United States Air Force
following categories: chael Drowley, 57th Wing commander. “I congratu- Thunderbirds for the 2022 and 2023 demonstration
Airman: Staff Sgt. Kaelob T. King, Corie M. Hudson, 366th Fighter Wing, Company Grade Officer: Captain presented in the following categories: late Lt. Col. Elliott on this huge accomplishment seasons. Lt. Col. Justin Elliott, commander of the 59th Test
325th Civil Engineer Squadron, Tyn- Mountain Home AFB, Idaho Ross, Nellis AFB, Nev. Civ Cat 1: Melissa L. Nielsen, 482d and have full confidence he will succeed in leading and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.,
dall Air Force Base, Fla. First Sergeant of the Year: Senior Field Grade Officer: Maj. Jessica Attack Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C. the Thunderbirds in their mission to recruit, retain will become Thunderbird 1, the squadron’s commander
NCO: Tech. Sgt. Kelli A. Floyd, Master Sgt. Chris Fabela, 633d Civil En- Zembek, 379th Expeditionary Com- Civ Cat 2: Meredith V. Schmieder, and inspire around the globe.” and lead pilot next year. As the two-fold duty title implies,
20th Contracting Squadron, Shaw gineer Squadron, JB Langley-Eustis, Va. munications Squadron, Al Udeid Air 53d Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. Elliott will replace Col. John Caldwell following Elliott will command a force of more than 120 enlisted
AFB, S.C. The Officer of the Year Awards were Base, Qatar Civ Cat 3: Frank W. Dannals, AF- the 2021 show season. Additionally, the team also personnel and 11 commissioned officers assigned to the
Senior NCO: Senior Master Sgt. presented in the following categories: The Civilian of the Year Awards were CENT A5, Shaw AFB, S.C. selected Maj. Ryan Yingling, of the 59th Test and team, along with leading all of the demonstration flights. Air Force photograph

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