U.S. Air Force Weapons School to graduate 89 officers Published Dec. 8, 2009 Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The U.S. Air Force Weapons School will graduate 89 officers during ceremonies at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Dec. 12. 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. In its 60th year, 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. That tradition of excellence continues today as 17 squadrons teach graduate-level instructor courses in 22 combat specialties at eight locations. Class 09B included graduates from the first Unmanned Aerial Systems and F-22A Raptor student courses. Both courses were validated during Class 09A with UAS instructor graduates remaining behind to teach within the 26th Weapons Squadron. The graduates from the 433d WPS F-22 Weapons Instructor validation course returned to the combat air force to serve as weapons officers. Additionally, the class graduated two HH-60 combat search and rescue students that were originally assigned to Class 09A, but had to return to their home bases when the 34th WPS was deployed to support combat operations in Afghanistan. Class 09-B graduates include: 8 WPS (Command and Control) Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Air Battle Managers Capt. Gregory M. Blom Capt. Jonathan S. Kinard Capt. Curtis E. Knighten Capt. Damon C. Matlock Capt. Jerome S. Thomas EC-130 Capt. William R. Gery 14 WPS (MC-130) Hurlburt Field, Fla. Maj. Brent M. Nestor Maj. Jason R. Walls Capt. Jared J. Brupbacher Capt. Alexander Sayre Capt. Adam E. Taylor 16 WPS (F-16) Nellis AFB Maj. Matthew C. Jensen Maj. Cory J. Kestel Capt. John D. Caldwell Capt. Brian P. Healy Capt. Nicholas R. Ihde Capt. Michael G. McCarthy Capt. Patrick M. McGarry Capt. Robert D. Miller Capt. Sean M. Renbarger Capt. Michael P. Richard Capt. Michael A. Seltzer 17 WPS (F-15E) Nellis AFB Capt. Zachary D. Bartoe Capt. Jamison D. Baysden Capt. Curtis W. Dougherty Capt. Aaron D. Reid Capt. Lucas J. Teel 19 WPS (Intelligence) Nellis AFB Intelligence Sensor Capt. Ryan D. Skaggs Capt. John S. Wallace 1st Lt. Adam B. Young Intelligence Capt. Jonathan L. Baker Capt. Erin P. Hayde Capt. Cameron J. Lee Capt. Joshua Q. Lyons Capt. Scott B. Valentine Jr 26 WPS (MQ-1/MQ-9) Nellis AFB Maj. Tamara L. Barlette Capt. Ryan T. Derzon Capt. William D. Jimenez Capt. Preston L. Rhymer 29 WPS (C-130) Little Rock AFB, Ariz. Maj. Barrett W. Golden Maj. Christopher J. Zegar Capt. William G. Allbright Capt. Steven L. Campbell Capt. Daniel J. Hilferty Capt. JohnPaul Kilker Capt. Steven M. Martina Capt. Daniel M. Shoaf 34 WPS (HH-60) Nellis AFB Capt. Russell P. Cook Capt. Evan H. Gardner 57 WPS (C-17) McGuire AFB N.J. Capt. Carlos E. Berdecia Capt. Michael C. Costas Capt. Michael J. Flonacher Capt. Allen C. Morris Jr Capt. Alan J. Partridge Capt. Jennifer J. Trapp 66 WPS (A-10) Nellis AFB Capt. Joseph A. Hext Capt. Zachary M. Laird Capt. Joseph C. Turnham 77 WPS (B-1) Dyess AFB, Texas Capt. Timothy Griffith Capt. Andrew J. Maguire Capt. Patrick L. O'Keefe Capt. Seth W. Spanier 325 WPS (B-2) Whiteman AFB, Mo. Maj. Thomas B. Hatley Capt. Justin T. Grieve 328 WPS (SPACE) Nellis AFB Capt. Kelly S. Anderson Capt. Casey M. Beard Capt. Travis S. Bell Capt. Aaron L. Cochran Capt. Warren D. Riner Capt. Jon P. Slaughter Capt. Gregory A. Vice 340 WPS (B-52) Barksdale AFB La. Maj. Colby R. Platner Capt. Jessica R. Critcher Capt. Justin L. Gamel Capt. Robert A. Phelps Capt. Daniel C. Willis 433 WPS (F-15C/F-22A) Nellis AFB F-15C Capt. John G. J. DeLion Capt. Benjamin D. Leestma Capt. Jason C. Zumwalt Capt. Jeffrey T. Zurick F-22A Maj. Michael D. Schaner Capt. Daniel J. Arkema Capt. Daniel J. Lehoski Capt. Brandon J. Tellez 509 WPS (KC-135) Fairchild AFB Wash. Lt. Col. Noah C. Conrad Capt. Kevin P. Dacy Capt. Christopher A. Dieter Capt. Matthew D. Lilly Capt. Adam H. Rosado
