U.S. Air Force Weapons School graduates 87 officers

  • Published
  • Nellis Public Affairs
The U.S. Air Force Weapons School will graduate 87 officers during ceremonies at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Dec. 11.

The Weapons School provides the world's most advanced training in weapons and tactics employment, and every six months, produces a new class of graduates who are expert instructors on weapons, weapons systems and air and space integration. Upon completing the course, graduates return to their home stations, taking the latest tactics, techniques and procedures for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat to their respective units.

The Weapons School traces its roots to the Aircraft Gunnery School established in 1949 at Las Vegas Air Force Base, which became Nellis Air Force Base in 1950. This organization brought together a cadre of World War II combat veterans dedicated to teaching the next generation of pilots. The Gunnery School converted to combat crew training to meet the needs of the Korean War.

Today's Weapons School encompasses 17 squadrons, teaching 22 combat specialties at eight locations. Only 30 percent of today's students come from the classic fighter specialties which built the initial reputation of the "patch." The 60-year tradition of excellence associated with the Weapons School continues as today's graduates go to units worldwide to focus on the integration challenges of tomorrow.

Class 10-B graduates include:

8 WPS Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

Air Battle Managers
Capt. Dameion D. Briggs
Capt. George A. Christoph
Capt. Herman Norwood, Jr.
Capt. John R. Ohlund
Capt. Justin M. Podnar

EC-130
Capt. Matthew J. Florenzen

RC-135
Capt. Jonathan M. Beha
Capt. Christopher Coville
Capt. Daniel R. Thomas


14 WPS Hurlburt Field, Fla.

AC-130
Maj. Jon W. Porath
Capt. Robert P. Buzzell
Capt. Jonas W. Freel
Capt. Sean M. Williams

MC-130
Maj. Joshua W. Petry
Capt. Philip A. Laughlin


16 WPS (F-16) Nellis AFB, Nev.

Maj. Christopher W. Melka (ANG)
Maj. Mark D. Van Brunt (AFRC)
Capt. Eric D. Boyes
Capt. Dustin W. Brown
Capt. Beau E. Diers
Capt. Ryan M. Gaffaney
Capt. Aleksas R. Juskys
Capt. William D. Lutmer
Capt. Richard C. Orzechowski
Capt. James D. Smith


17 WPS (F-15E) Nellis AFB, Nev.

Capt. Joshua P. Blakeman
Capt. Benjamin A. Donberg
Capt. Mark D. Nyberg
Capt. Robert B. Olvis


19 WPS (Intelligence) Nellis AFB, Nev.

Intelligence Sensor
Capt. Elizabeth C. Caskey
Capt. James R. Rabon

Intelligence
Capt. Jacqueline A. Ament
Capt. Karen M. Barth (AFRC)
Capt. Kyle B. Bressette
Capt. Sarah E. Gee
Capt. Patrick W. McMorrow


26 WPS (MQ-1/MQ-9) Nellis AFB, Nev.

Maj. Albert F. Scaperotto, Jr.
Capt. Michael J. McDermott
Capt. Robert A. Moors
Capt. Louis S. Pine


29 WPS (C-130) Little Rock, AZ

Maj. Patrick Linson (ANG)
Capt. Jeffery A. Blankenship
Capt. Jason R. Childs
Capt. Ryan E. Donohoe
Capt. John C. Fuccillo
Capt. Michael K. McKinney
Capt. Nathan J. Powell


34 WPS (HH-60) Nellis AFB, Nev.

Capt. Charles W. Redmond


57 WPS (C-17) McGuire AFB, NJ

Capt. Isaac E. Adams
Capt. Jeremy M. Brockman
Capt. Curt A. Haase
Capt. David J. Morales
Capt. Brian D. Muto
Capt. Joshua C. Watkins


66 WPS (A-10) Nellis AFB, Nev.

Capt. Joseph D. Beal
Capt. Travis T. Elliott
Capt. Grady L. Green (ANG)
Capt. Josh L. Long
Capt. Barry V. McKeown
Capt. Thomas E. Parker


66 WPS (A-10) Nellis AFB, Nev.

Capt. Ruston C. Traynham


77 WPS (B-1) Dyess AFB, TX

Capt. Philip Z. Atkinson
Capt. Brian J. Baker
Capt. Chad M. Hillen
Capt. Mark E. Kimball


325 WPS (B-2) Whiteman AFB, MO

Capt. Richard F. Ganske
Capt. Luke D. Jayne


328 WPS Nellis AFB, Nev.

SPACE
Capt. William F. Conway Jr.
Capt. Aaron M. Fischbach
Capt. Tracy L. Lloyd
1st. Lt. Michael C. Mariner

ICBM Validation WIC
Capt. Joshua J. Henderson
Capt. Benji L. Johnson
Capt. Katherine C. Mack
Capt. Jeffrey S. Regan


340 WPS (B-52) Barksdale AFB, LA

Capt. Patrick R. Applegate
Capt. John M. Baker
Capt. Patrick J. Godinez
Capt. Paul A. Goossen
Capt. Brandon R. Knutz
Capt. David M. Page
Capt. Steven M. Schaar


433 WPS Nellis AFB, Nev.

F-15C
Maj. Jared A. Conaboy (ANG)
Capt. Jarrod A. Aranda

F-22
Capt. Randy St. Jean
Capt. Charles E. Schuck


509 WPS (KC-135) Fairchild AFB, Wash.

Maj. Stacy G. Moore (ANG)
Maj. Joshua T. Frakes
Maj. Bryan R. Scholtes (ANG)
Maj. Zachary O. Thompson
Capt. Joshua C. Chambers
Capt. Jeremy L. Gould
Capt. Joseph T. Schwab

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