Page 6 - Desert Lightning News 12-4-15

6 December 4, 2015
A new star at the 162nd Wing
Staff Sgt. Gregory Ferreira
162nd Wing Public Affairs
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Sealing his new rank as an Air
National Guard brigadier general, junior enlisted per-
sonnel pinned silver stars onto the shoulders of the
162nd Wing Commander during a promotion cer-
emony Nov. 7 at the Tucson International Airport.
Brig. Gen. Phil Purcell accepted his new rank
in front of more than 1,000 Airmen and distin-
guished guests, including Air Force Maj. Gen.
Michael T. McGuire, the Adjutant General of the
Arizona National Guard.
Air Force Brig. Gen. Edward P. Maxwell, command-
er of the Arizona Air National Guard, officiated the
ceremony. In his congratulatory speech, he emphasized
Purcell’s advocacy for the wing and its Airmen.
“This is a well-deserved promotion. Over the
last two years, Col. Purcell has done an incred-
ible job of coming in and taking care of Airmen,”
said Maxwell, noting that as a general, Purcell
will continue to put forth the same effort as he
has always dedicated to the wing.
The new general expressed his appreciation
and gratitude to the Airmen of the 162nd.
“While we seem to be focused on my shoul-
ders today, trust me, I know it’s your shoulders
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that carry our wing. You guarantee our wing’s (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Hollie A. Hansen)
priorities of success for mission and Airmen,”
said Purcell, who is now the 12th commander of Airman 1st Class Ricardo Badilla, left, and Airman 1st Class
the wing since its founding in 1956. Edwin Martinez, right, pin silver stars on newly-promoted Brig.
Gen. Howard P. Purcell, 162nd Wing Commander, Nov. 7 at the
“No matter what my rank, being a part of your 162 Wing at the Tucson International Airport. Breaking from
team is the job of a lifetime,” Purcell continued. “I tradition, Purcell chose the most junior enlisted Airmen from
am extremely proud to be your commander and each group to perform the honor of pinning on the service
can’t thank you enough.” dress jacket’s silver stars and placing new shoulder boards for
his dress shirt – embodying a commitment to his own Air Na-
Breaking from tradition, Purcell chose the tional Guard family.
most junior enlisted Airmen from each group
to perform the honor of pinning on the service ment operations specialist with the 162nd Mission
dress jacket’s silver stars and placing new shoul- Support Group.
der boards for his dress shirt - embodying a com-
mitment to his own Air National Guard family. Though the silver eagle worn by an Air Force
colonel is now part of Purcell’s past, his dedication
“I am highly honored to be able to participate to the Airmen of the 162nd Wing continues on its
in General Purcell’s promotion ceremony. I feel unwavering path as a one-star general.
that it symbolizes a journey to strive for a higher
goal,” said Airman 1st Class Priscilla Cruzalegui, “I am extremely humbled by this ceremony,
aerospace medical technician with the 162nd and being a part of this team is a great honor.”
Medical Group.
Cruzalegui was not the only one to feel fortu-
nate to have been one of the few who were part
of the ceremony.
“It’s the top and the bottom of the totem pole. It’s
a privilege to be a slick sleeve pinning on General
Purcell,” said Airman Miguel Urbina, traffic manage-
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