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Airman graduates from Army’s Air Assault school inspiring the Next Generation of aviators

by airman 1st Class “I think this course is great for people by 1st Lt. when they grow up. Showing them all the
Vaughn Weber that work in areas that require you to do LiLia CaLViLLo pictures and gear and hanging out in the
more than just your Air Force Specialty hangar I think really meant a lot to so
355th Wing Public Affairs 355th Wing Public Affairs
Code,” Rybicky said. “It challenges you men- many of them.”
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Rybicky, tally and physically to really help develop Editor’s note: The mention of the nonprofit Sufficool also followed family into the
68th Rescue Squadron medical logistician, [as a] multi-capable Airmen.” organization, Women in Aviation Interna- Air Force. Her father, a former Air Force
graduated from the Army’s Air Assault Phase I is Combat Assault, which is tional, does not constitute endorsement of Thunderbirds crew chief, inspired Sufficool
School at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Aug. 10. geared toward preparing Airmen for hand affiliation by Davis-Monthan Air Force Base to pursue the Air Force. She never thought
Rybicky entered the Army’s Air Assault and arm signals along with aircraft safety or the U.S. Air Force. she could be a pilot, let alone a fighter pi-
School at Fort Campbell on Jul. 27, along orientation. Phase II is Sling Load Opera- Airmen from the 55th Electronic Combat lot. It wasn’t until her commander at the
with 350 other military personnel. Over tions, consisting of planning, inspecting and Group and 354th Fighter Squadron attended U.S. Air Force Academy encouraged her to
the 11-day course, many people were cut preparing sling loads, and the responsibili- the Women in Aviation International’s Girls pursue a career as a fighter pilot that she
and on the final day only 143 successfully ties of personnel. Phase III is Rappelling in Aviation Day event in Mesa, Arizona, considered it might be a possibility.
completed the course and graduated. Operations, where students learn how to Sept. 25. ”I was lucky enough to make the Wings of
“I was given the opportunity from my tie a hip rappel seat and rappel at higher The annual event is held in multiple loca- Blue Parachute Team and my commander
commander to go,” Rybicky said. “I did my levels. Each phase lasts three days with tions across the country and introduces girls at the time encouraged me to apply for a
research on the course and it looked like a major physical training event and final ages 8-17 to career fields in aviation and rated pilot slot,” Sufficool said. “Up until
a fun, humbling challenge and a good op- exam at the end. STEM. Providing an opportunity to interact then, I never thought of it as a possibility
portunity to learn from another military “Being the first and only one in my ca- with role models face-to-face gave the girls an for myself. I still had not met a woman who
branch.” reer field to attend and graduate was an experience of a lifetime to meet career avia- was a pilot and thought it was a boys-only
Day zero starts at 4:45 a.m. when mem- amazing opportunity I am grateful for,” tors and science, technology, engineering and Air Force Specialty Code.”
bers are assigned a roster number, given a Rybicky said. math professionals. Courtesy photo Sufficool finally met her first female pilot
list of mandatory items they have to keep Other personnel that attended the course Two of the career aviators from Davis- Airmen from the 55th Electronic Combat Group and 354th Fighter Squadron attend- at a USAFA summer program and she got
with them throughout the remainder of included Rangers, infantrymen, cadets, Monthan who attended the event were Staff ed Women In Aviation International’s Girls in Aviation Day event Sept. 25, Mesa, Ariz. her first opportunity to pilot an aircraft.
the course, and required to run two miles intel, nurses and many other military Rybicky poses in front of the Army’s Air Sgt. Kari Tucker, an airborne cryptologic lan- The annual event is held in multiple locations across the country, and introduces This experience and her commander’s
under 18 minutes in uniform. After that members. Assault School Aug. 10, Fort Campbell, guage analyst from the 55th ECG, and Capt. girls ages 8-17 to career fields in aviation and STEM. encouragement led her to pursue a career
they perform physical training for 1-2 hours In an ever-changing world, having the Ky. At the start of the course, Rybicky Charlene Sufficool, an A-10 Thunderbolt II as an A-10 pilot.
Courtesy photos before completing a course consisting of 11 ability to adapt to changes and be multi- stood with 350 participants and by the pilot with the 354th FS. graduated from Basic Military Training out the motivation she had to pursue a male Since then, Sufficool finds it important to
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Rybicky obstacles, two of which are mandatory and capable is paramount in keeping the Air end of the course Rybicky was one of Both women grew up wanting a career in at Lackland AFB, Texas. My family went out dominated career field, to the young girls be a role model to young girls and women
poses in front of the Army’s Air Assault designed to give students confidence to work Force ready to respond to potential conflicts the 142 that successfully completed the aviation, but didn’t know if it was possible. to see him graduate and it was a moving interested in aviation. who aspire to become aviators.
School Aug. 10, Fort Campbell, Ky. at higher elevations. anytime, anywhere. training. For Tucker, she wanted to prove to her fam- experience. It wasn’t until my senior year of “It was amazing to see how many girls “I really enjoyed being able to look these
ily that she could pursue a career in aviation high school when I realized joining the Air and young women were interested in avia- girls in the eyes and tell them that they
tion,” Tucker said. “So many girls said that absolutely have what it takes to fly,” Suf-
by joining the Air Force just like her brother.
Force was an option,” said Tucker.
Training to defend “I was 16 years old when my brother Tucker now hopes she is able to pass down they want to be an astronaut or a pilot ficool said.

by Senior airman SFS commander. “This exercise prepared
alex Miller 355th Wing personnel to fight and com-
municate as a team to defend a forward
355th Wing Public Affairs
operating base.”
The 355th Wing hosted various train- The 355th Wing is developing Airmen
ing sessions during Exercise Bush- to meet the needs of the ever-changing
whacker 21-07 at Davis-Monthan Air global climate of war by forging an
Force Base, Arizona, Oct. 4 - 8. unmatched and unprecedented state of
This training encompassed learning high-end readiness. This is being sus-
about use of force and other rules of en- tained by multi-capable Airmen that are
gagement, the Law of Armed Conflict, as able to execute dynamic force employ-
well as practicing individual movement, ment and agile combat employment in
team movement, searching techniques contested and austere environments.
and weapons handling and detention. “These Airmen were spun up and
These are critical skills for Airmen as ready to go to work, many were already
they learn to deal with situations they helping set up fighting positions and Photos by Staff Sgt. Kristine Legate
may face downrange. training newer augmentees,” said Goode. Airmen are apprehending a simulated oppositional force during Exercise Bush-
“The exercise is important here at “These exercises will help make our whacker 21-07 on Sunglow City, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Oct. 4.
Davis-Monthan because it is helping force more competitive and lethal than Bushwhacker allowed Airmen to execute and test agile combat employment pro-
our defenders not only refine their base ever before.” cesses and timelines to pack up, load and reestablish wing facilities and command
defense skills, it is allowing them to learn Exercising elements of ACE enables us and control structures at newly established locations.
how to work with other Air Force Spe- to operate from locations with varying
cialty Codes in developing base security levels of capacity and support, ensuring An Airman stands
as a team.” said Staff Sgt. Logan Goode, Airmen and aircrews are postured to guard while Airmen
355th Security Forces Squadron combat deliver lethal combat power across the build up a tent during
arms instructor. “When we incorporate spectrum of military operations. Exercise Bushwhacker
everyone into base defense, we are ensur- “Integrated Base Defense means every- 21-07 on Sunglow City
ing everyone and everything inside our one on a base – from the Security Forces at Davis-Monthan Air
bases are secured.” Airmen at the gate to a spouse calling in Force Base, Ariz., Oct.
The training is part of the Air Force’s a suspicious vehicle – is responsible for 4. Bushwhacker allowed
ongoing Agile Combat Employment acad- security, whether at home station or de- Airmen to execute and
emy designed to develop multi-capable ployed,” said Kepple. “As a reminder, any test agile combat em-
Airmen and increase operational flex- suspicious activity should be reported.” ployment processes
ibility. The 355th Wing is leading the way in and timelines to pack
“ACE operations may require Air Force executing the priorities of Air Force and up, load and reestab-
units to deploy in small, quick moving Department of Defense senior leaders by lish wing facilities and
teams, where every member must be staying ready to exercise combat airpow- command and control
prepared to directly defend against an er anytime, anywhere through constantly structures at newly es-
attack.” said Maj. John Kepple, 355th evolving and enhanced training. tablished locations.