Page 10 - Aerotech News and Review – November 21 2025

10 November 21, 2025
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Southern Nevada
aEROTECH NEWS
Balancing the Bench: Serving justice in and out of uniform
by Senior Airman Isaiah Pedrazzini
Nellis AFB, Nev.
Pursuing a career in law, especially as a staff judge advocate is accompanied with the responsibility that it is one’s duty to interpret the law, not make it, ensuring that no matter the outcome that justice is served.
This is the principle that Maj. Chris- topher Lee, 926th Wing staff judge advo- cate, has kept in balancing his service to his country as a Traditional Reservist in the Air Force Reserve and as the Chief Judge of the North Las Vegas Municipal Court.
Air Force photographs by Senior Airman Isaiah Pedrazzini
Maj. Christopher Lee, center, 926th Wing staff judge advocate, consults with members of the court regarding a case at the North Las Vegas Municipal Court, Nev., Sept. 9, 2025. As an Air Force SJA, Lee is responsible for providing a variety of legal services for service members as well as advising commanders on legal and ethical matters.
city of Incheon and eventually immigrat- ing to the city of Las Vegas at the age of two, Lee grew up on the stories his family told him of the Korean War.
“I was raised on the stories of how the U.S. helped turn the tide for South Korea during the war and was a huge background in my upbringing,” said Lee. “As I grew up, I always felt that I needed to give back to the country that gave me and my family so many new opportuni- ties in some way.”
Lee eventually enrolled at the Univer- sity of Las Vegas, where he discovered a new career interest that would shape the trajectory of his life, the study of law.
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Senior Airman Sidney Miller, 99th Security Forces Squadron installation entry controller, verifies identification while wearing an Acclimate Cooling System vest at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Sept. 26, 2025. Miller used the vest during his shift to enhance combat training focus and maintain vigilant overwatch at the entry control point in extreme conditions.
Lee’s interest in the military began at an early age. Born in the South Korean
See bench, on Page 12
Nellis Defenders use cooling tech to enhance readiness in desert heat
by Airman 1st Class
Timothy Perish
Nellis AFB, Nev.
Defenders from the 99th Security Force Squadron are using a newly fielded personal cooling system device to help combat the heat of the South- ern Nevada desert at Nellis Air Force Base Nev.
Provided through a Depart- ment of the Air Force initiative, 40 climate control systems were delivered to the squadron to support performance while wearing body armor and pro- tective gear.
Developed through a multi- year effort led by AFWERX and the Air Force Research Labora- tory, the systems are now avail- able for unit-level integration. The 99th SFS is among the first to incorporate them into daily operations purchasing 40 of these climate control systems to support performance while wearing body armor and pro- tective gear.
“I retire in one year but, before I go, I will continue to implement new ideas to take care of my Airmen,” said Tech. Sgt. Justin Wood, 99th Security Forces Squadron noncommis- sioned officer in charge emerg- ing technology. “This cooling system represents the best of Air Force innovation and iden- tifies one of the great challenges we face as Defenders.”
Nellis Air Force Base was chosen as an early fielding
opment and use. Headquarters Air Force Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection partnered with a contractor to transition the capability into operational production, enabling units to acquire the devices through ap- proved channels.
The broader initiative reflects the Air Force’s commitment to enhancing Airmen safety and performance. Collaboration included over 13 installations and multiple career fields across diverse climates, both in the continental U.S. and overseas.
Air Force photographs by Senior Airman Timothy Perish
location due to its extreme desert climate, making it an ideal environment to evalu- ate operational impact across multiple roles.
“We are testing them with our gate defenders, combat arms instructors and our K-9 units,” said Wood. “It’s also applicable to many career fields like maintainers.”
Reducing heat stress helps maintain alertness, which sup- ports situational awareness. The cooling system directly supports force protection and
mission readiness during pro- longed outdoor operations.
“The extreme heat we deal with at Nellis makes every task more difficult,” said Staff Sgt. Eliana Lubrano, 99th Security Forces Squadron combat arms training and maintenance in- structor supervisor. “As an instructor, I need to maintain a vigilant focus for hours on end outside and this device helps me achieve the mission.”
The Air Force retains owner- ship of the technology, ensuring long-term control over its devel-
Senior Airman Bolarinwa Odusanya, 99th Security Forces Squadron installation entry controller, verifies identification while wearing an Acclimate Cooling System vest at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Sept. 26, 2025. The vest is an active cooling device designed for operators in extreme environments to enhance performance and reduce heat- related injuries.