Columbus Airman promoted while assisting NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan

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Airman 1st Class Gio'Vonnie Ellis prepares to have his stripes tacked on by Staff Sgt. Labronze Paden and Staff Sgt. Mike Corum during his promotion ceremony Feb. 29. Ellis, who is deployed from Luke Air Force Base, Az., promoted to the rank of Air Force senior airman while serving a six-month tour in support of NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Terri Barriere)

KABUL, Afghanistan – A local Columbus, Miss., native was promoted to the rank of Air Force senior airman while serving a six-month tour as a contracting office representative in support of NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan at Camp Eggers.

Senior Airman Gio’Vonnie Ellis was promoted to the grade of E-4 in a “combat” promotion ceremony Feb. 29.

“I’m excited to be promoted while I’m deployed. It is a great way to start the deployment and I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of the deployment will bring,” he said.

This is Ellis’s first deployment since joining the Air Force three years ago. He said it feels great to be a part of something bigger than himself.

Ellis leaves behind his mother, two sisters and a brother, whom he said he can’t wait to see when he returns from deployment.

“I’m looking forward to spending time with my mom and grandparents after my deployment,” he said. “When I get to home station I plan to begin studying for staff sergeant and continue training and maintaining the mission.”

Tags: afghanistan, air force, camp eggers, Columbus, Feature, featured, independence, Kabul, Mississippi, nato, nato training mission, NATO Training Mission Afghanistan, NTM-A, promotion, Senior Airman Gio'Vonnie Ellis

Category: News - General