Profiles

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In November of 2016, the Air Force Public Affairs Agency (AFPAA) launched Volume VII of "Veterans in Blue," a portrait collection showcasing the men and women that have contributed to the legacy of the Air Force. The Airmen highlighted have aided in making the Air Force what it is today--the best in the world. Through the Veterans in Blue project, these service members share their personal stories of how the Air Force has made a difference in their lives. These stories supported in operations from World War II to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Portraits are displayed in the Pentagon 5th floor, A ring between the 8th and 9th corridor.

View veteran profiles for VIB Volume 7

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Jenean Hampton, Commonwealth of Kentucky Lieutenant Governor, reviews documents during an Air Force Veterans in Blue shoot, August 2, 2016, at Frankfort, KY. Lt. Governor Hampton served seven years in the Air Force as a computer systems officer, writing computer code and testing software. During her military service she was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, Oklahoma City, OK, and was deployed to Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. DeAndre Curtiss) Col. Ronald Lord Master Sgt.(Ret.) David Miller (US AIR FORCE PHOTO BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS SEAN CARNES)
Michael Moriatis Maj. George Pankonin served in the Air Force from 1970 to 1993. Chief Master Sgt. Don Shelton Lt. Col.(Ret.) James Lawrence
Retired Senior Master Sgt. Dan Quasius, spent more than three decades serving in the Air Force in the active duty and reserve. As a boom operator on KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders, Quasius saw the world and an amazing arsenal of American and international aircraft. He retired from the 349th Air Mobility Wing in 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken Wright) Maj. William McBride Senior Master Sgt. Henry Clay Gillam Jr Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Norrad
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Michael P. Hoffman, Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Memorial Service Detachment volunteer, helps provide a proper military burial at FSHNC June 10, 2016. The MSD performed services for 18 funerals June 10, breaking a previous single day record of 16. The Fort Sam Houston MSD has performed more than 32,000 services since its inception in 1991. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Ely) Master Sgt. James Stuart Master Sgt. John Lukens Senior Airman Aubrey Trufant is a successful tattoo artist in San Angelo, Texas. He and his brother currently own a tattoo shop titled Trufant Bros. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Devin Boyer)
Senior Master Sgt. Robert Stillwell Master Sgt. Brenda Gutierrez 1st Lt. Wallace Kirkpatrick Staff Sgt (Sep.) Norman Ransom voluntarily the Air Force in July 1967, despite being drafted into the Army. At the time, Ransom was enrolled at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, with the goal to become an Air Force officer. Running out of deferments, he decided to enlist into the Air Force as a motion picture camera operator. Ransom provided video documentation of Air Force missions in both the United States and overseas locations. He also recorded aerial footage of the closing of Da Nang Air Base in Vietnam. Ransom recalls his role with the 6594th Test Group as the highlight of his career, where he recorded Airmen catching ejected film canisters from the United States’ early spy satellites in a JC-130 aircraft. Ransom separated in 1971 and rejoined the following year, 1972, as an emergency management specialist. He then moved to an instructor position teaching emergency operations at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. After his final separation from military service in 1981, Ransom returned to school and earned his Master’s degree in Psychology from Bowie State University in 1993. Looking back at his career, Ransom is thankful for the discipline the Air Force taught him as well as his leadership abilities. He continues to further his education and research with the goal to eventually write a book about his life and experiences. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Gese/Released)
Lt. Col. Gene Smith Lt. Col. James Faulkner Walter Quering Staff Sgt. Ryan Milliken
Col. Arthur Fielder Chief Master Sgt. Terry Cook Master Sgt. Johnny Hernandez Chief Master Sgt. (ret.) Craig Bergman stands in front of the HH-3 "Jolly Green Giant" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., May 19, 2016. Bergman retired as the maintenance superintendent for the 943rd Maintenance Squadron in 2007, having been one of five U.S. Air Force Reserve Airmen to establish the 71st Special Operations Squadron and bring the HH-3 here. His family's military legacy dates back to World War I. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Carolyn Herrick)
U.S Air Force Col. Jim A. Barr (Ret.), poses for a photo in his home in Mount Pleasant, S.C., Aug. 3, 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sean Martin) CHUCK YEAGER VIB VOL 1 CHUCK YEAGER VIB VOL 1 VETERANS IN BLUE VOL 1
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Captain (Sep.) Louis Zamperini was an Olympic distance runner, inspirational speaker and an Airman during World War II. (Photo by Matt Meindl) Captain (Ret.) Jerry Yellin is an Army Air Corps veteran who served between 1941 and 1945. Yellin enlisted two months after Pearl Harbor on his 18th birthday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Carlin Leslie)