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."

Pilot chases Olympic dreams

by Airman 1st Class Christopher Thornbury
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

8/19/2015 - MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.  -- It's early morning, the sun is bright and warm but the air is still cool. Sitting on the maroon colored track, he slides his bright-red running shoes over his foot, grabbing each lace and begins to tie a knot. After preparation, he begins his workout.

Capt. Daniel Castle, 349th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, is one of five Airmen selected throughout the Air Force to participate in the World Class Athlete Program, which allows service members of all branches to train as their primary duty.

Castle will be spending the next year to training for the 2016 Olympics 1500 meter race.

"One of my dreams that I have always had is to try and make it to an Olympic team," said Castle.

Castle graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2009 and will be heading back to train at the Olympic training center. He will train with his former coach Juli Benson, U.S. Air Force Academy cross country head coach and track and field assistant coach, who specializes in middle and distance runners.

During the yearlong training, Castle will be running nine to 10 times a week, an hour to an hour and a half at a time totaling 70 to 80 miles each week. Some days will consist of long runs ranging from 15-18 miles; relatively short distances, such as four to five miles at his aerobic threshold; sprinting different lengths from 200 to 400 meters; as well as lift weights three to four times a week.

Running has been a part of Castles daily routine for several years now. Even with the hectic duty day as a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot he makes sure he contributes to his goal each day. He often runs during lunch breaks or at 10 and 11 p.m. if the day doesn't flex to his schedule.

His highly competitive running career started in college. His senior year, he set the Air Force Academy record, placed 15th in the NCAA and 20th in the U.S. However, running is more than just a friendly competition to Castle.

"Running is something I'm very passionate about, not only for the chance to compete," said Castle. "It's my conduit to decompress from all the stresses in life and I believe in being world class by pushing myself to do the best in everything that I do."

After graduating college, he didn't slow down. Within a year, he completed his Master's degree and continued running 40 to 60 miles each week.

"Determination, the idea of chasing dreams and the Air Force core values have built Castle into the Airman he is today," said Staff Sgt. Shalamar Coleman, 22nd Mission Support Group group administration NCO in charge.

The Olympics are a year away, and in the meantime, Castle will represent the U.S. in the World Military Games, a competition between the countries across the world service members form a team to compete against each other, this October, in South Korea.

Aside from his goals as a runner, he plans to continue his Air Force career by becoming an instructor at the Academy, so he can inspire younger Airmen to chase their dreams.

"I would love to be able to teach and mentor the next generation of Air Force officers," said Castle. "To fuel the fire of living passionately."

His drive and desire to improve himself and others comes from his beliefs in the Air Force core values.

'"Excellence in all we do,' I really believe in that," said Castle. "I believe that it is the foundation to a life that is worth living, which has helped driven me to continue running; despite five deployments; many temporary duty assignments; being my best as an officer, leader and Airman. Making time to work out and run every day under the foundation of excellence is what has allowed me this chance, six years later."