A combination of challenges like Eglin’s Bayview facility’s reduced services and Air Force Instruction changes led to the loss, but enlisted leadership persisted in finding a way for its return.

“We are now at a point where we can successfully honor our students with a formal graduation ceremony,” said Master Sgt. Felicia Cangemi, ALS commandant.

For three of the four ALS instructors, who taught graduating Class 24 Golf, it was their first formal ALS graduation ever.  Before becoming instructors, Staff Sgts. Kaycie Eon, Santa Siri and Kevin Andes graduated from ALS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their ALS experiences in 2021 were almost entirely through screens and with distancing restrictions in effect, most large group ceremonies were canceled.

Despite their less-than-satisfactory experience in their first level of professional military education, they discovered an opportunity that fulfilled their passion for teaching, mentoring and coaching. Andes and  fellow Staff Sgt. Kristy Gilford became instructors in 2022. Siri and Eon began in 2023. Between the four, they taught 29 classes and mentored more than 400 Air and Space Force NCOs-to-be leading to Class 24 Golf.

For the three who completed ALS virtually, they were able to soak in what the full classroom experience was like many times over, but as instructors.  After experiencing both formats, they stressed how important the interaction and networking among Airmen is to a successful ALS class.

“Class and flight engagement is such a critical part of the experience,” said Siri, a medic, who listed becoming an ALS instructor as a goal on her performance reports prior to landing the position. “Everyone benefits from being together and interacting in those classrooms. It’s so much more rewarding.”

The formal ceremony wasn’t the only first for this ALS class. The instructors debuted a newly released instruction curriculum as well. Problem solving, negotiations, team dynamics, conflict management and other foundational lessons remained, but added were many practical job applications focused on writing and direct supervision.

“This is a stepping stone to anything more in an Airman’s career,” said Andes, who both made the technical sergeant promotion list and was selected for officer training school in 2024. “The topics and values we teach really allow Airmen to grow as individuals and hopefully open up their thinking to the larger Air Force.”

Opening minds and seeing a better Air Force perspective were among the many benefits Eglin’s ALS instructors said they’ve gained from their time teaching.  It’s a goal the team said it strives to provide to their Airmen.

“It’s common for many Airmen to only know the Air Force from inside the small bubble of their job or specialty,” said Eon, a California native and intelligence Airman. “Being an instructor is eye-opening to the wider Air Force. You’re able to see from so many different perspectives and learn about other Airmen’s Air Force experience. As a team, we want to pass that along to our students as well.”

The four instructors all shared very similar impactful moments during their tenures that came from either providing direct feedback or receiving it from their students.  Hearing directly from a new soon-to-be NCO that they had a hand in mentoring and shaping resonated with them.

The staff sergeants also said watching the change in Airmen’s attitude and the mind shift across their numerous flights every five weeks is a rewarding experience.

“Seeing that journey of development is so motivational, inspiring and just makes me so proud,” said Gilford, a logistics readiness Airman from South Carolina.

As the night arrived, the instructors said they were eager to be part of the formal graduation ceremony’s return to the Bayview, which also serves as ALS’s home as well.

“We were able to truly honor them and let them know what a milestone it is to leave that Airman tier and now become an NCO,” Siri said.

The two UAS in flight, one an Air Force-owned TRV-150 and the other, Near Earth Autonomy’s Griff 135, marked the first time the two aircraft flew together for a test mission.

The mission, facilitated by the Autonomy, Data, and AI Experimentation Proving Ground and supported by 413th Flight Test Squadron personnel, reached a few milestones for the two-year-old program.

The mission was the first time the 413th FLTS flight-tested the TRV-150 at Eglin as well as Near Earth’s first flight test with an Air Force aircraft.

The Air Force goal for the mission was to provide ground and airspace as well as an aircraft to Near Earth, a third-party UAS developer, to test their autonomy architecture, specifically detection and avoidance capabilities.  This allows the sUAS to detect other aircraft sending out automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast transmissions and respond to avoid collisions.

“This is a meaningful milestone on our path toward fully capable autonomous traffic avoidance,” said Paul Bartlett, Near Earth head of systems engineering. “The realistic flight tests with the prototype accreditable autonomy architecture would not have been possible without Eglin. Having such strong partners to test missions has been indispensable as we define and verify our accreditation approach for autonomous flight.”

The test was successful as the eight-foot Griff 135 identified the presence and location of the TRV-150 and performed avoidance maneuvers over two successive flights.

These types of third-party-developer UAS tests are part of AFWERX Autonomy Prime, which focuses on the collaborative development of autonomy technologies with industry partners to accelerate transition into possible Air Force acquisitions.  AFWERX works directly with the ADAx Proving Ground at Eglin to test these rapidly progressing technologies.

This was the third test mission for Near Earth at the Proving Ground in less than a year.  They were the first third-party developer to test their autonomy at Eglin in October 2023.

“Testing these capabilities quickly and effectively is critical to moving the Air Force forward,” said Lt. Col. Robert Waller, 96th Operations Group deputy commander. “One of the reasons the ADAx Proving Ground was created was to be able to experiment and try new ideas with Air Force-beneficial concepts and platforms with a level of urgency required to meet today’s advancements in modern warfare.”

The bell-ringing tradition, a cornerstone of AFRS culture, symbolizes the successful completion of the year’s recruitment target. Brig. Gen. Christopher Amrhein, AFRS commander, led the event, which was attended by military personnel, civilian staff, and key leaders from the U.S. Air Force and Space Force.

“It’s an incredible honor to stand here today and ring this bell, signifying the relentless hard work and dedication of our recruiters and partners,” Amrhein said. “This achievement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our team and the resilience shown in overcoming the many challenges we faced this year.”

The celebration, held at the AFRS headquarters, highlighted the combined efforts of recruiters across the nation, for both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force.

“The ringing of this bell signifies more than meeting goal, it’s the acknowledgment of what our recruiters do to support the next generation of Airman and Guardians and ultimately, the Warfighter,” said Chief Master Sgt. Rebecca Arbona, command chief of AFRS, “It’s recognition of their tireless work, after all, combat readiness begins here!”

The AFRS achieved its FY24 goal across all components, with the active-duty Air Force, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Space Force all meeting their respective recruitment targets. This accomplishment comes in the wake of an increasingly competitive recruiting landscape, where the military is often vying with the private sector for top talent.

This year’s recruiting success can be attributed to a combination of innovative recruitment strategies, policies and initiatives. Throughout FY24, recruiters engaged with communities nationwide through outreach events, social media campaigns, and partnerships with high schools and universities. The inclusion of virtual recruitment tools allowed AFRS to reach a broader and more diverse pool of candidates.

“This is such a fantastic way to close out FY24,” Amrhein said. “There is no way this would have happened without the recruiter’s hard work and dedication to our mission.”

The AFRS will now look ahead to FY25, with plans to continue refining its recruitment strategies to meet the evolving needs of the Air and Space Forces.

To learn more about the Air Force and Space Force and discover full and part-time opportunities, visit our website www.AirForce.com or www.SpaceForce.com. To speak with a recruiter near you, click here.

Coley, a 2008 graduate of Crestview High School, was selected by NSCS staff for their exemplary leadership while completing the Basic Qualification Course (BQC), an intensive program that prepares officers for the logistical demands of the Navy Supply Corps, which is considered to be one of the Navy’s greatest assets.

“I believe the actions that led to this award came from my background in the Navy as a senior chief,” Coley said. “Having strong core values is the body of a well-built foundation, in this circumstance, I believe that is what led to this award.”

The BQC is a crucial step for aspiring Supply Corps officers, equipping them with the skills to manage supply chains and provide logistical support for the Navy.

Coley joined the Navy 15 years ago and earned an associate degree in science management in 2018.

“When I commissioned from being a senior chief to a warrant officer, I quoted Rory Vaden in my speech. The quote is, ‘Success is not owned, it is rented – and rent is due every day,’” Coley said. “That is a motto that I strove towards as a senior enlisted leader, and that is a quote I will continue to embody. Honor, courage and commitment are the core values of the Navy, and it is our due diligence to continue working together and producing the best possible outcome for the sailors in our Navy and for the Navy itself.”

Navy Supply Corps officers play a critical role in ensuring sailors have the equipment and resources they need to maintain readiness and counter global threats.

As 90% of global commerce travels by sea and much of the world’s internet relies on secure undersea cables, the Navy’s mission to recruit and retain talented individuals like Coley is integral to both national security and global prosperity.

The Navy Supply Corps School, whose mission is to provide students with the personal and professional foundations for success, prepares its graduates to offer global logistics support across the fleet. Following graduation, officers like Coley are deployed worldwide to put their training into action, contributing to the Navy’s continuous presence around the globe.

Coley is set to join the crew of USS Essex, an amphibious assault ship homeported in San Diego, California, where they will continue to support the mission of the Navy and uphold the values that earned them the Navy League’s Honor, Courage and Commitment Award.

Hogg, an Air Force Materiel Command standards and evaluation civilian pilot, surpassed the 10K mark Sept. 24, 2024, in an MC-130H II Hercules during a routine avionics’ modernization program test mission.

“It’s a milestone in a career I never knew was possible, but I am so thankful I had the chance to live it,” said the 65-year-old Kentucky native.  “When I stop to think about the last 40-plus years, I know I have truly been blessed.”

Hogg’s first C-130 hour began Nov. 23, 1983, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas during qualification training after graduating the Air Force Academy and flight school. Only two days after completing aircraft training at his next assignment, Pope AFB, Hogg deployed on a flying rotation of Europe.  He said that tour was when he fell in love with the aircraft that would define his career.

“It was more than adventure,” said Hogg, who initially wanted to fly the RF-4 or A-10 Thunderbolt II before choosing the C-130.  “I knew the C-130 was the right decision for me.  I loved the concept of flying with a crew and the way everyone worked together to get the mission done.”

In 1988, he became a special operator operating C-130E and MC-130E Combat Talon models.  It was among these logged hours; Hogg experienced his most harrowing mission. In 1993, his MC-130E crew provided support to 14 MH-53 Pave Low helicopters in route to Haiti during heavy thunderstorms. Hogg and his crew had to find a separated helicopter and provide fuel to it to ensure it could land safely.

Low on fuel themselves, Hogg’s crew had to land in Key West, only the storm took out power across the island.  With his aircraft well below emergency fuel levels, his first two landing attempts were unsuccessful. He said he had enough fuel for one more landing attempt.

“Fortunately, we were able to land, and we found out our MH-53 also made it to a successful landing in Haiti,” said Hogg, whose 10K accomplishment averages to approximately 243 hours per year for his 41 years.

Special operations eventually moved him to the Air Force Special Operations Command standards and evaluation division, where he was introduced to C-130 flight testing in 1993.  This position would provide a glimpse of his future second Air Force career as a civilian pilot 11 years later.

Hogg then racked up more experience and hours flying most of the Defense Department’s C-130 variants during his duty at the aircraft’s depot at Robins AFB, Georgia. He finally ended up at Eglin, in standardization/evaluation, for AFMC as a lieutenant colonel in 2004.

After retiring from that active-duty position, he began his second career as a civilian, in the very same role.

“It was a great place to be, as it opened opportunities to fly many other aircraft in my capacity as a command evaluator pilot,” said Hogg, who estimated his 10K hours would be more than two million miles flown.

As a civilian pilot here, he’s piled on more C-130 hours through another 20-year career.  He said it’s his AFMC Det. 1 role that has kept him continuously engaged and in the air.

“I have the opportunity to test new models and capabilities, I get to accomplish even more with the C-130,” said Hogg, who also serves as the AFMC unit’s lead for the tanker, transport and bomber teams.  “Each model and variant can execute so many different missions, it is impossible to get bored with doing the same thing all the time.”

In his role as the standardization and evaluation command chief pilot, Hogg tests the aircraft’s new changes and innovations, but he also acts as wealth of past C-130 knowledge for Det. 1 and its Eglin partner, the 417th Flight Test Squadron.

“He’s absolutely a source of continuity here,” said Col. Brian Taylor, AFMC Det. 1 commander.  “He has experience flying every Air Force C-130 variant, and our unit leverages that experience and his relationships with the operational units, to oversee the diverse mission sets of the C-130 operations.”

Hogg’s friends and family were on the flightline to greet him upon landing after surpassing the 10K hours milestone.  Anthony Lindstrom, 11, helped the maintainers marshal his grandfather’s aircraft to its parking spot to complete the test mission.

When asked to reflect about the milestone mission, he remembered the exhilaration of flying with other Airmen.

“The thought that keeps coming to me is how much I enjoy the team that it takes to fly a C-130,” he said. “A smooth-running team is just pure joy in the air.”

The training simulated a WR-ALC member becoming unresponsive while conducting maintenance inside a C-130J Super Hercules wing cavity.

“Confined space rescues present several unique challenges that make them particularly complex and hazardous,” said Kevin Averill, 778th CES assistant fire chief of training.

Some of the challenges Averill described were physical constraints, communication difficulties, psychological stress and specialized training and equipment, among others.

The 778th CES typically use their own training area to practice these rescues, but for this iteration they partnered with the WR-ALC to utilize a real aircraft.

“Training with all of our mission partners advances our operational readiness with immediate feedback,” said Averill. “Joint training, especially with (WR-ALC) and real aircraft, ensures Robins F&ES maintains proficiency while utilizing realistic scenarios in a controlled environment.”

The WR-ALC has both industrial and aircraft confined spaces that are encountered daily, with aircraft confined space operations being the most common.

“Participating with the fire department in confined space training exercises allows us to look at strengths and weaknesses in our response procedures,” said James Neesmith, WR-ALC occupational safety and health manager. “There have been many lessons learned in this and similar trainings that have led to changes in protocol and procedure.”

Beyond testing response procedures, the training also served as an opportunity for Robins F&ES to certify three new members to the level of confined space rescue technician, strengthening the team’s capabilities.

As confined space operations remain a critical part of base safety, this collaboration between WR-ALC and Robins F&ES helps refine procedures and enhance team readiness for future rescue challenges.

Air Force Reserve, active-duty and national guard members joined together to hone their interaction skills during the Triad Summit Aug. 5-6, 2024, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.  The workshop focused on three positions in a squadron’s hierarchy that form the triad: the commander, senior enlisted leader and first sergeant.

Chief Master Sgt. Sam Caballero, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Professional Development Center at Air Force Reserve, led the workshop that focused on emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, creating teams and defining culture. He said the triad positions are vital to organizational success.

“These three positions are key to ensuring the organization is able to meet the expectations of their mission,” he said. “It’s important that they come together in a way that is positive and productive. The success of a squadron is dependent on its leaders being able to work together.”

The course started with introductions by more than 30 participants. Caballero outlined the triad concept and the roles and responsibilities of the members. The training then moved on to highlight resources leaders have at their disposal and some case studies of how they could respond to a variety of challenges. Proper communication was at the forefront during the entirety of the summit.

“This workshop has been very productive,” the chief said.  “I have enjoyed working with everybody.”

The class included Col. Melinda Sutton, Delaware Air National Guard’s 166th Medical Group commander, said she enjoyed the course.

“I’m really grateful I had the opportunity to attend,” she said. “It’s been great and very enlightening; I learned a lot of new principles which led to a lot of self-reflection.”

The colonel said she appreciated working with her total force partners and the attendees of the class showed a true “one team, one fight” philosophy.

Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Harris, 512th Force Support Squadron senior enlisted leader, said his squadron has a new first sergeant, and the workshop was helpful in integrating him into the team.

“It was very beneficial,” he said. “It broke out and defined the different personalities and how they could clash or benefit from each other. Knowing what they are can help create synergy.”

The chief said his leadership style includes thinking about things from his Airmen’s point of views.

“I think that is key,” he said. “If you have the baseline of empathy, you will be successful at taking care of Airmen.”

The workshop at Dover was one-of-five Triad Summits held at various Air Force Reserve installations.

“You are finally going to be happy,” he thought to himself. “Maybe they will listen, and someone will understand you.”

For Grasty, nothing in particular triggered his decision to end his life that day. But, he said, after years of his own internal struggles and not seeking the help he needed, he felt that suicide was his only option.

After he finished work, Grasty made his way toward a bunker where he planned to take his life. Despite the gravity of his decision, he said he didn’t feel fear. Instead, he felt an unsettling calm.

“I reassured myself that it would be over soon and that I wouldn’t ever have to worry again,” he said.

Then, in the short walk to that bunker, six words from a close friend changed everything.

“Hey man, how are you doing?” a friend from his unit asked Grasty.

It wasn’t the question itself that saved Grasty’s life — it was the sincerity behind it, he explained.

“You can tell when something is genuine or fake,” he said. “I could tell he cared. I needed that in that moment, and he let me talk to keep myself alive.”

Six years later, Grasty is on the other side of the conversation. A civilian Preservation of the Force and Family (POTFF) representative embedded in the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Group at Hurlburt Field, his mission now is to provide support for Airmen.

As a POTFF community resource coordinator, Grasty works directly with Airmen to promote resilience and well-being, encouraging balance across the four pillars of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness: social, psychological, spiritual and physical health.

Looking back to the weeks, months and even years leading up to that day in April 2018, Grasty said personal stressors, including the pressures he faced in the Air Force, took a toll on his mental health. Additionally, he said he feared the stigma associated with seeking help in the military at that time.

“You would be treated differently if you sought out help,” he said. “I went my whole career without seeking help, until I wanted to kill myself.”

He went on to serve a total of 15 years before medically retiring from the Air Force in June 2021. In those 15 years, Grasty deployed six times, retrained from security forces to civil engineering and later personnel, with assignments at three duty stations.

Grasty noted he is able to leverage his diverse Air Force background to better relate to the maintenance Airmen he supports as a POTFF representative.

“Security forces and maintenance kind of speak the same language,” Grasty explained. “Maintenance Airmen tend to put themselves on the backburner to get the job done, and I want to help change that mentality.”

Along with providing one-on-one support for 1st SOMXG Airmen, Grasty serves as an instructor for the Hurlburt Field safeTALK program, a course that teaches Airmen how to identify the signs of suicide risk and how to seek help.

For Grasty, maintaining his own mental health is still a daily effort, but his work as a POTFF community resource coordinator gives him a sense of purpose. And, just as his friend once was for him, Grasty can now be a lifeline for others.

“It doesn’t take much to ask someone how they are doing — but asking can make all the difference.”