Face of Defense: Airman Carries on Family’s Legacy of Service

By Air Force Maj. Rodney Ellison, 10th Air Force

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Air Force 1st Lt. Kenneth Ellison grew up hearing about his family’s service in the Air Force. Fourteen years ago, he made the choice to carry on that legacy by enlisting.

“I joined the Air Force Reserve in 2004 to better myself,” he said. “I didn’t feel like I was going anywhere and I knew the Air Force would give me the training I needed to get my life going in the right direction.”

After serving in the enlisted ranks for more than a decade, Ellison directly commissioned into the Medical Service Corps and graduated from Commissioned Officer Training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, June 22.

Designed for healthcare, legal or ministry professionals, COT differs from other commissioning sources, such as Reserve Officer Training Corps or Officer Training School, as airmen attending this program have already received their commission. The compact course brings in professionals to quickly fill continual needs of the Air Force.

Since Ellison already attained his master’s degree, he received his commission as a first lieutenant in November, and was able to attend the 5-week COT program before returning to the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, to serve as the Medical Readiness officer in charge.

Developing Into a Leader

“Now as a commissioned officer, I feel like I’m starting yet another chapter of my life. The Air Force has given me so much in my 14 years of service and it is amazing to be part of such a legacy,” Ellison added.

His family noticed a change during his enlistment as well.

“I have seen him mature over the years,” Ellison’s wife, Melissa, said. “He has way more drive and motivation. I’ve also seen him become more assertive and confident, he was not that way when we met almost 20 years ago.”

His 14 years as an enlisted airman helped him mature from a follower into someone driven to grow, continually learn and lead.

“The Air Force instilled in me a desire to always improve,” Ellison said. “I’m not content with staying where I’m at in life, I want to be better and help others grow and develop as well.”

Ellison is the son of retired Air Force Master Sgts. Juri Dillon and Tony Ellison, who served proudly for 20 and 24 years, respectively. However, his family’s Air Force legacy began with his grandfather, retired Air Force Tech. Sgt. Lenard Ellison.

“I was 17 and my mother helped me join the Army in August of 1947 to get of the south due to racial tension,” he said. “In September 1947, I was offered the opportunity to join the newly created Air Force.”

The elder Ellison was in one of the first two flights to graduate from Air Force basic training and had a long career, ultimately retiring after more than 25 years of service.

“The Air Force gave my family and me opportunities to experience a different life, and meet people from various cultures,” he said. “My service gave me confidence that I could have a better life and provide a better life for my family.”

Bonds of Trust

Ellison knows the Air Force Reserve is helping his family in the same way it helped his grandfather. “The best part of being in the [Air Force] is that I get to work with people from all walks of life,” he said. “They become your second family away from home. We share a strong bond with each other and trust each other to the fullest.”

Along with Ellison’s mother, father and grandfather, his family service legacy includes two aunts, an uncle and a cousin.

His uncle, retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Rodney Ellison, retired as the command chief of Air Education and Training Command, and was on hand at the graduation. “I’m very proud of Kenneth as he carries on a 70 year tradition of Ellison Air Force service,” he said.

As Ellison and his cousin continue their family legacy, both as reserve airmen, the new officer is eager to see where this new chapter in his career will take him.

“Whether they were active duty, guard, or reserve, we’ve had a member of our family in the Air Force since its inception,” Ellison said. “It’s great to be a part of this family with such rich history.”

Nevada Air National Guard Joins Colorado Firefighting Effort

By Air Force 2nd Lt. Emerson Marcus, 152nd Airlift Wing

RENO, Nev. -- The National Interagency Fire Center has requested a C-130 aircraft and aircrew from the Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing  to aid firefighting efforts in Colorado.

The aircraft, operating the U.S. Forest Service’s Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, or MAFFS, departed Reno yesterday for its initial deployment location at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.

The 152nd Airlift Wing, known as the “High Rollers,” is one of four military C-130 units around the nation equipped with MAFFS for large-scale wild land firefighting.

The Reno unit will join two other military units in Colorado: the Air Force Reserve’s 302nd Airlift Wing from Colorado Springs, Colo., and the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing.

The initial request lasts through July 12.

About a half dozen large wildfires have ravaged areas around the Centennial State this summer and burned more than 100 homes. The 152nd Airlift Wing, along with other MAFFS crews, could potentially be called for any of these fires.

Ready to Answer the Call

“The High Rollers always stand ready to answer the call for federal firefighting missions,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Steve Mills, 192nd Airlift Squadron commander and pilot with the 152nd Airlift Wing. “We've read in the news about the devastation from the fires in Colorado, and we're prepared to do anything we're asked to do to help fight the fires.”

MAFFS equipment, loaded into the cargo compartment of a C-130 aircraft, can drop up to 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in six seconds through a nozzle on the rear left side of the plane. The Forest Service owns MAFFS equipment and supplies retardant. The four military units provide C-130 aircraft, maintenance, support personnel and flight crews to fly the missions.

Given the military’s non-compete clause with private industry, private air tankers receive first request for large-scale, wild land firefighting. Military units have provided the surge capacity with MAFFS since 1974, but are activated only after private contractor assets are exhausted and the Forest Service deems additional support is necessary.

The 152nd Airlift Wing was named the newest MAFFS unit in 2016, replacing the North Carolina Air National Guard’s 145th Airlift Wing. Since 2016, 152nd Airlift Wing aircrews have worked and trained with other MAFFS units to gain certification for wild land firefighting. This summer could mark the first autonomous firefighting missions for the unit without assistance from other units since it entered the MAFFS community two years ago.

Washington Guard Recognizes Soldiers for Saving Girl’s Life

By Army Capt. Joseph Siemandel, Washington National Guard

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Four Washington National Guard soldiers received medals June 30 for their quick action in saving a girl’s life while their convoy was fueling up April 6.

During a ceremony at the National Guard Armory here, Army Pvt. Gracie Hilinski, assigned to the medical section of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 146th Field Artillery Regiment, received an Army Commendation Medal.

The other members of the team -- Army Spc. Brandon Issacson, Army Sgt. Richard Schutt and Army Spc. Mitchell Potter -- received Army Achievement Medals for their assistance.

The soldiers were making a routine fuel stop while performing convoy operations when they noticed that something was wrong in a nearby SUV. Hilinski reacted quickly, running to the vehicle to identify the emergency.

“You saved my daughter’s life, I will never forget that,” Ayoub Soulami, the child’s father, said during the ceremony.

After confirming that the family’s daughter, Lilya Soulami, was not breathing, Hilinski administered CPR. After several compressions, Issacson began to detect a pulse. The soldiers continued CPR while the rest of the team confirmed that civilian first responders had been contacted.

“Hilinski’s actions were immediate and confident, showing all the aspects necessary in a competent and effective medic,” Issacson said. “Jumping into a scene that terrifies many new [emergency medical technicians], her actions saved the life of a child.”

Hilinski shared many smiles, awards and gratitude with the family and gave Lilya a teddy bear as she conversed with her parents about the girl’s many healthy and happy years to come.