Airman Heads Back to Olympics to Compete in Skeleton

Feb. 10, 2026 |31st Fighter Wing |

Air Force Staff Sgt. Kelly Curtis, a knowledge operations technician assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing Communications Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy, is preparing to represent Team USA on the world's biggest stage for the second time at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

 
Qualifying for the Olympics is brutally competitive. Only 232 American athletes earned spots to represent the U.S. in Italy. The news station NBC Olympics reported that thousands of athletes competed through years of races, rankings and trials to qualify for the Games. For Curtis, this moment is the culmination of years of discipline, sacrifice and resilience, both as an athlete and as an airman. 
 
"When I first asked the Air Force [World Class Athlete Program] if I could be assigned to Aviano [Air Base], the goal was always these Olympic Games," Curtis said. "Four years ago, I qualified for my first Games in Beijing, but Milano Cortina was always the plan." 
 
Raised in a highly competitive household, Curtis grew up immersed in athletics. As the youngest of four siblings, she credits her upbringing and her father's experience as a former NFL player for shaping her drive. 

"I was always trying to keep up," Curtis said. "I competed in everything: wrestling, track and field, softball, baseball and basketball. I never specialized in a specific sport early, and I believe that helped me more than anything." 

Her diverse athletic foundation eventually evolved from traditional collegiate sports to the bobsled, and ultimately the skeleton, an event that demands power, precision and fearlessness. 

Balancing Olympic-level training with military readiness wasn't always easy. As a mother, noncommissioned officer and world-class athlete, Curtis describes her daily routine as a careful balancing act, made possible by strong leaders and teamwork within the 31st Communications Squadron. 

"Staff Sgt. Curtis' ability to balance the demands of military service with world-class competition shows our airmen that anything is possible, so long as you're passionate, dedicated and driven to reach a goal," said Lt. Col Ryan Williams, 31st Communications Squadron commander.

While leaders point to her example, Curtis points back to her team, emphasizing that their confidence in her allows her to carry the same focus and discipline from the workplace to the world stage.  

"My leadership has been incredible," she said. "From my commander down to my supervisor, they've been extremely accommodating while still ensuring I'm fulfilling all my responsibilities as an airman. Their trust frees me to focus when it's time to perform."

As the current points lead for skeleton on the U.S. team, Curtis prepares to carry more than her personal goals onto the frozen track. She also carries the weight of family legacy and of representing the Air Force. Despite the pressure, Curtis remains grounded in the values that brought her to this point: discipline and resilience. 

"After the Games, I'll be right back at Aviano Air Force Base doing my job," she said. "But for now, I have the privilege of representing the U.S. Air Force on the world stage, and I don't take that lightly. At the end of the day, all I can do is prepare the best I can and put it together when it matters." 

Curtis hopes her journey inspires other airmen to pursue their own athletic ambitions. 

"Reach out. Research Air Force sports and look into the Air Force World Class Athlete Program," she said. "There's more support out there than people realize, from intramural sports all the way to the Olympics."

Breaking a sweat: An Airman's HVAC journey

by Airman 1st Class Deana Heitzman
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/7/2015 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- The sweat gleams across his forehead as he steps out into the sauna-like air. With, tools in hand, he begins walking toward his objective, providing the greatest of summer relief, air conditioning.

Airman 1st Class Jedadiah Floyd, like his coworkers from the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration shop, focuses on improving quality of life to ensure overall mission effectiveness here.

"I have a hand in everyone's mission by making sure Team Aviano is doing their job in a comfortable environment," said Floyd. "Also, we ensure all machines in shops are operating in the correct temperature to maximize their performance."

As an HVAC technician, Floyd is responsible for ensuring all base facilities are functioning at the proper temperature. He is part of a 19 Airmen crew who maintain more than 1,700 HVAC systems.

Although HVAC wasn't Floyd's primary choice when he enlisted into the Air Force, he learned to love the trade during his six-month technical training school.

"I had no idea what HVAC was when I was selected for the job during basic training," said Floyd. "I knew I wanted a job that can help people and would transition into civilian life."

According to Floyd, there will always be a demand for comfortable heating or cooling and the skills the Air Force is teaching him, he will keep forever.

Due to the high tempo, Aviano was the perfect place for Floyd to practice his craft. Throughout the summer months his shop completes 150 weekly work orders ranging from preventative maintenance to equipment installation.

Floyd explains how although work orders are important, the jobs requested cannot be completed immediately due to the HVACs shop policy of precedence.

"Sometimes our customers may think we are not taking care of them if a problem is not resolved that same day, but that isn't the case," said Floyd. "There is an order of precedence we have to follow that correlates with mission readiness. Buildings that have vital equipment come first-- like the communication squadron buildings, then we focus on main quality of life facilities, like the Child Development Centers, lodging and the dorms."

No matter which job they set to accomplish, HVAC Airmen always find themselves in tight spaces. The most challenging part of his job isn't the "dirty work," but finding and putting together all the right pieces during a project.

At the end of the day, Floyd relies on his coworkers to ensure he is being the best HVAC Airman he can be.

"I always try to do my little part to contribute to the mission," said Floyd. "My supervisors and fellow Airmen inspire and motivate me to do better every day. While completing the mission, regardless of how exhausted we are at the end of the week, we still find enjoyment together as a shop."

Deployed husband's wife finds strength within squadron

by Airman 1st Class Cary Smith
31st Fighter Public Affairs

8/7/2015 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy  -- A woman sits in a crowded conference room with her baby girl curled up in her arms and a six-year-old son on her lap. The room is filled with family members learning what their Airmen do at the 31st Munitions Squadron.

On the day Anna Bledsoe, wife of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Troy Bledsoe, toured the squadron, she sat through a brief and looked at munitions equipment without her husband by her side. He, like many of the 31 MUNS Airmen that day, was deployed.

Through eight years of marriage, Mrs. Bledsoe has discovered what helps her make it through re-locations and difficult experiences is a network of friends and community.

"My husband and I have been through a lot together during our marriage," said Anna. "Active spouses help provide a strong community during our time at a new base."

The Bledsoe's relationship began before he enlisted; and as high school sweethearts, the two realized they wanted to spend their lives together and start a family.

"We married after high school and we were soon off to our first base." said Anna. "We have been stationed in Arizona, England, Ohio, and my husband was stationed in South Korea for a year."

During that time, the family grew from two to four, which created new challenges by having to integrate themselves and their children to new surroundings.

Now stationed in Italy, Mrs. Bledsoe reflects on past assignments and the possibilities Aviano provides for her family.

"Italy is a new and different adventure," said Bledsoe. "I'm excited for us to see new places and immerse ourselves with other cultures."

She may be excited for new experiences, but the first deployment for her family has been challenging to adjust and overcome, especially for her son who depends on his parents for consistency.

"I wish my dad was here," said Bledsoe's son, Lane. "I'm happy we had my birthday before he left."

Lane walked outside with his mom after the briefing to get an up-close look at the type of equipment his father works with.

The 31 MUNS organized a family day for Airmen and families to better understand why they are in Italy and the importance of the squadron's success.

"Having an event like [family day] is important to show spouses what the Airmen do every day," said Master Sgt. Michael Clark, 31 MUNS maintenance armament back shop NCO in charge. "It is also important for the Airmen because events like this get families involved since they help carry a lot of the burden."

Anna stands outside with her little girl strapped to her and watches her son in the back of a truck where munitions are loaded for transportation. Finally for the first time, she is able to experience firsthand her husband's work.

Families finished the day with a cookout after they toured different work stations and previewed duties munitions Airmen provide.

"This is the first base I have been to that has allowed spouses to come and see the work being done," said Anna. "The spouses here are very active and worked with the squadron to make this day happen."

According to Anna, she has made friends with more spouses at Aviano than any other base. Having other families around helps keep her spirits up when weeks away from her husband seem long.

"Spouses here are really close and having this support is so good for my son too," said Anna.

Until Troy and other 31 MUNS Airmen return, family days and playdates are what the families have to look forward to each week.

Vice Chairman Greets Troops, Kicks Off USO Tour

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy, April 16, 2012 – The vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff thanked service members here today on the first stop of a USO tour.

Accompanied by his wife and a troupe of celebrities, Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr. is bringing a taste of home to troops stationed in Europe and Southwest Asia this week.

“What a great privilege and pleasure it is for all of us to be here with all of you,” Winnefeld said. “Mary, my wife, joins me in thanking you for being here today and for doing what you do -- all you young men and women in uniform and your families.”

The USO tour is a way to help the nation thank them for all they do, the admiral told the service members here. “And especially for the tremendous work … that you all have done over the last year -- sending folks to Iraq, helping get rid of a tyrant in Moammar Gadhafi. Good job on that.”

The vice chairman also thanked the troops for helping deployed service members on the ground in Afghanistan. “It’s been a fantastic year, and I congratulate you for it.”

Winnefeld also thanked the celebrities joining him for the USO tour, and told troops they look forward to interacting with them.

Joining the vice chairman on the tour are comedian/actor Anthony Anderson; former Major League Baseball pitcher Randy “The Big Unit” Johnson; performer Jason “Wee-Man” Acuna; actor and pitchman Dennis Haysbert; Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders Allyson Traylor, Brittany Evans and Kelsi Reich; and former “American Idol” contestants Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young.

Winnefeld commended the USO for its decades of service and commitment to troops and for its efforts in coordinating this tour.

“I do want to thank the USO for the fantastic job they have done for decades, to say nothing of the fantastic job they've done putting this trip together,” Winnefeld said.