News>Professional Bull Riders honor Nellis Airmen at world finals
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Airmen from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., wave to the crowd Oct. 22, 2010, during the opening ceremonies of the Professional Bull Riders World Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Nellis AFB Airmen were honored for their service during Air Force night at the event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)
Master Sgt. Kisha Washington shakes hands with professional bull riders Oct. 22, 2010, at the PBR World Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Sergeant Washington, who is assigned to the 99th Logistics Readiness Squadron, was one of several Airmen from nearby Nellis Air Force Base who were honored for their service during Air Force night. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)
Airmen from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., join with professional bull riders and representatives from Wrangler Oct. 22, 2010, during intermission at the PBR World Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. From left, the Airmen are Senior Airman Kyle Vega, Master Sgt. Jeramie Brown, Senior Airman Shawn Rhinehart, Senior Airman Jason Isada and Master Sgt. Kisha Washington. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)
Master Sgt. Jeramie Brown shakes hands with a Wrangler representative Oct. 2, 2010, during the Professional Bull Riders World Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Sergeant Brown, who is assigned to the 99th Air Base Wing public affairs office, was one of several Airmen from Nellis Air Force Base who were honored for their service during Air Force night. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)
Lt. Col. James McElhenney administers the oath of enlistment to Delayed Enlistment Program members Oct. 22, 2010, during the opening ceremonies at the Professional Bull Riders World Finals in the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Airmen from nearby Nellis Air Force Base were honored for their service during Air Force night at the event. Colonel McElhenney is deputy commander of the 563rd Rescue Group, Operating Location Alpha. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)
The honor guard from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., presents the colors Oct. 22, 2010, during the national anthem at the Professional Bull Riders World Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Nellis Airmen were honored for their service during Air Force night at the event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)
Robson Palermo does his best to hold on Oct. 22, 2010, during the Professional Bull Riders World Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Airmen from nearby Nellis Air Force Base were honored for their service during Air Force night at the event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth)
10/27/2010 - LAS VEGAS (AFNS) -- Members of the international Professional Bull Riders, Inc., association saluted the Air Force and the accomplishments of several Airmen during their World Finals in Las Vegas Oct. 22.
The special-themed Air Force Night kicked off with a swearing-in ceremony for 25 members of the Delayed Enlistment Program, conducted by Lt. Col. James McElhenney, deputy commander of the 563rd Rescue Group, Operating Location Alpha. It was his first opportunity to conduct a swearing-in ceremony in a public setting.
"It was very enjoyable, especially since I'm a fan of bull riding," Colonel McElhenney said. "I got to chat with many of the recruits, who were very excited about joining the Air Force. They seemed to be of excellent caliber, especially considering how competitive it is to join these days."
After the DEP ceremony, eight Airmen entered the center of the arena and stood on a stage with an American flag that rotated during the playing of the national anthem. They were:
Maj. Chris Richardson, assistant director of operations and a combat search and rescue pilot in the 66th Rescue Squadron;
Maj. Tim Matlock, an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter pilot and commander of Detachment 1, 563 Operational Support Squadron;
First Lt. Matthew Carlisle, a combat rescue officer with the 58th RQS;
Master Sgt. Dana Vaughan, a pararescueman and flight chief in the 58th RQS;
Staff Sgt. Michael Winnett, a flight engineer in the 66th RQS;
Each of the Airmen from the two ceremonies had deployed several times and were honored for their service.
"The arena was packed every night," said Master Sgt. James Black, superintendent of Air Force Motor Sports at Air Force Recruiting Service. "PBR fans tend to be very patriotic and pro-military, so our sponsorship of these kinds of events is a perfect fit and goes a long way in raising awareness."
