Patches lead from front: Weapons system experts graduate from USAFWS

by Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

12/18/2014 - LAS VEGAS -- The Air Force gained 112 new weapons officers when students of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School class 14B celebrated their graduation from their Weapons Instructor Courses, or WICs, during a ceremony here Dec 13.

Weapons School graduates are considered experts in their fields, tasked with training and instructing coworkers at their home units with knowledge they gained during the five-month course.

"Today, I see 112 new warfighters who will assume this awesome burden of being a weapons officer, 112 new reasons why we will always find a way to win our nation's wars," said Col. Adrian Spain, USAFWS commandant.

Weapons school graduates wear a distinct patch on their uniforms to signify they have successfully completed the course and are technical experts on their weapons systems.

"This is a great event to recognize the greatest our Air Force has to offer," said Gen. Hawk Carlisle, commander of Air Combat Command, who attended the graduation as the guest speaker. "You are incredibly important to our Air Force both now and in the future. You are the Weapons School Ph.D.s ... and you're educating the next generation of Ph.Ds."

Along with their intensive knowledge, weapons school graduates also carry with them a rich heritage. The weapons school traces its roots to the Aircraft Gunnery School established in 1949 at Las Vegas Air Force Base, which became Nellis AFB in 1950. This organization brought together a cadre of World War II combat veterans dedicated to teaching the next generation of pilots. The Gunnery School converted to combat crew training to meet the needs of the Korean War.

"Past and present WIC grads have led our Air Force to accomplish the absolute impossible, performing incredible acts of heroism, and leading the United States to victory in everything we do," the general went on to say.

In addition to the historical significance of the school, Carlisle also mentioned how the lessons taught there have translated to success in current conflicts.

"The value of the patch to the warfighter cannot be overstated," Carlisle said. "It is because of WIC graduates that the U.S. Air Force is able to accomplish so much and obtain the unobtainable."

Today, the Weapons School encompasses 18 squadrons, teaching 24 combat specialties at eight locations. The 65-year tradition of excellence associated with the Air Force Weapons School continues as today's graduates go to units worldwide to focus on the integration challenges of tomorrow.

"I know we're in the midst of incredibly difficult times," he continued. "You see it every single day. We are more engaged than we have ever been in the past. Airpower is what drives every [combatant command] and provides them the opportunity to be successful. We need the talent, the dedication, the discipline and the urge of our weapons officers today.  Very simply put, WIC graduates, you are the future of our Air Force."

8th Weapons Squadron, Air Battle Manager, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
Capt.  Daniel W. Aspelund
Capt.  Jonathan R. Blenkush
Capt.  Jared M. Lemmons
Capt.  William B. Short
Capt.  David A. Trone
EC-130
Capt.  Timothy W. West
RC-135
Capt.  Taylor D. Eavenson
Capt.  Hsiao Wei Lu

14th WPS, AC-130, Hurlburt Field, Florida
Maj. Sean J. Hansen
Capt.  Marko L. Biondich
Capt.  Aaron C. Hall
Capt.  Brian M. Schmidt
Capt.  Dustin L. Tharrett
Capt.  Douglas A. Ward
MC-130
Capt.  Garrett R. Bridges
Capt.  Brett B. Davis
Capt.  Kyle L. Stover
U-28
Capt.  James S. Davis, Jr.
Capt.  Jacob P. Fischer
Capt.  Richard M. Harr
Capt.  Tyler W. Martin
Capt.  Philip A. Yarborough

16th WPS, F-16, Nellis AFB, Nevada
Maj.   Bryan D. Meek
Capt.  Michael Cady
Capt.  Gregory R. Farrell
Capt.  Brian J. Faughn
Capt.  Shaun R. Hoeltje
Capt.  Michael S. Mickus
Capt.  Joshua  C. Moffat
Capt.  Matthew P. Wilson
Capt.  Ryan J. Worrell
Capt.  Jason S. Ulibarri

17th WPS, F-15E, Nellis AFB, Nevada
Capt.  John A. Anderson
Capt.  Jacob S. Ashmore
Capt.  Nathan D. Heguy
Capt.  Colin S. Hinkley
Capt.  John D. Rabun

19th WPS, Intelligence Sensor Weapons Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, Nevada
Capt.  Christopher M. Cardinale
Capt.  Joshua L. Shaw
Capt.  Zayn M. Knaub
Capt.  Levinia S. Tyrrell
Intelligence Weapons Instructor Course
Capt.  John D. Bertieri
Capt.  Hayley L. Hartstein
Capt.  Asha Padmanabhan
Capt.  Elizabeth U. Theiss
Capt.  Cara V. Treadwell
1st  Lt. Tory O. Donato (A 2 Jun)

26th WPS, MQ-1/MQ-9, Nellis AFB, Nevada
Capt.  Jon M. Kinsey
Capt.  Brandon Magnuson
Capt.  Ryan A. Perhala
Capt.  Herbert T. Williams

29th WPS, C-130, Little Rock AFB, Arkansas
Maj Robert C. Damon
Capt.  Christopher S. Casler
Capt.  Alexander D. Johns
Capt.  Collin A. Lohr
Capt.  Austin D. Rust
Capt.  Brandon A. Schrader

34th WPS, HH-60, Nellis AFB, Nevada
Capt.  Eric L. Schneck

57th WPS, C-17, McGuire AFB, New Jersey
Capt.  Michael Z. Hershey
Capt.  Daniel C. Hartung
Capt.  Richard S. Kerr
Capt.  Daniel A. Naske
Capt.  Matthew B. Walton

66th WPS, A-10, Nellis AFB, Nevada
Capt.  Brian  Burgoon
Capt.  Zachary Hughes
Capt.  Joshua R. Jones

77th WPS, B-1, Dyess AFB, Texas
Capt.  Eric W. Bruton
Capt.  John R. Ethredge
Capt.  Peter M. Johnson
Capt.  Ryan M. Stillwell

315th WPS, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, Nellis AFB, Nevada
Capt.  Ross V. Millard
Capt.  Lee C. Payne
Capt.  Alex S. Rich
Capt.  Sterling D. Williams

325th WPS, B-2, Whiteman, AFB, Missouri
Capt.  Alexander J. Reich
Capt.  Andrew Kousgaard

328th WPS, Cyber Warfare, Nellis AFB, Nevada
Capt.  Megan A. Enns
Capt.  Robert E. Bireley Jr.
Capt.  Brian T. Higgins
Capt.  Daryl Godfrey
Capt.  Sean A. Williams
1st  Lt. Donald Franklin
Space Superiority
Capt.  Benjamin M. Andera
Capt.  Michael E. May
Capt.  Joshua M. McCullion
Capt.  Donald J. Thomas

340th WPS, B-52, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
Capt.  Kevin Crawford
Capt.  Ryan V. Egan
Capt.  Andrew J. Embry
Capt.  Jordan L. Filer
Capt.  Michael S. Hansen
Capt.  Joshua Hughes
Capt.  Brendan Kulczycki
Capt.  Erin K. McCabe
Capt.  Jared M. Patterson
Capt.  Matt S. Spinelli

433th WPS, F-15C, Nellis AFB, Nevada
Capt.  Joshua Hovanas
Capt.  Matthew J. Young

F-22, Nellis AFB, Nevada
Capt.  David M. Delmage
Capt.  Ryan W. Shelhorse

509th WPS, KC-135, Fairchild AFB, Washington
Capt.  Deborah A. Gaddis
Capt.  Brandon M. Kelly
Capt.  Jordan R. Kemp
Capt.  Timothy P. McBride
Capt.  Dean U. Thibodeau
Capt.  Graydon R. Vandament

Enlisted Courses
66th WPS, joint terminal attack controller, Nellis AFB, Nevada
Master Sgt. Damon M. Girton
Tech. Sgt. James C. Larsen
Staff  Sgt. Jarrid Cavanaugh
Staff  Sgt. Robert Henry
Staff  Sgt. Derek M. Snyder

8th WPS, Advanced Weapons Director Course, Nellis AFB, Nevada
Tech. Sgt. Jonie Escorpiso

8th WPS, Advanced Weapons Director Course, Nellis AFB, Nevada
Oct. 14 to Dec. 12
Tech. Sgt. Michael Bernier
Tech. Sgt. Angela Brown
Tech. Sgt. Andrew Millar
Tech. Sgt. Joshua Patten
Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Timberman
Staff  Sgt. Charles Dodd
Staff  Sgt. Jeremy Pierso