News Search

Russel retires after 28 years

  • Published
  • By By Staff Sgt. Jami K. Lancette
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  Following a ceremonial closing of one chapter of her life, Col. Kathryn Russel, prepares to begin writing new chapters as she moves forward from Grissom and the Air Force.

Amid family, friends and fellow Airmen, Russel, 434th Air Refueling Wing inspector general, stood front and center to say farewell to the Air Force after 28 years of service during her retirement ceremony here June 5, 2016.

Presiding over the ceremony, Col. Ann Schulte, 434th Maintenance Group commander, thanked Russel for her leadership and dedication to Airmen.

“Thank you for your service here, I wish you and your family Godspeed and good luck,” said Schulte.
Russel reflected on her career and when she arrived at Grissom three years ago.

“I have been blessed to have some really good support here and I am very grateful for that,” she said. “This is my unit, I have been coming here for over three years, it’s just a wonderful unit and the Airmen here are great.”

Russel embarked on her Air Force journey in 1984 when she left her home to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado where she met her husband, now retired Col. Mike Russel.

After graduating with a bachelor of science degree in industrial psychology, Russel hit the ground running and over the years held a number of positions that have included military personnel flight chief, personnel presentations chief, military equal opportunity officer, media relations officer, mission support squadron commander, resources deputy chief, squadron commander and finally an inspector general.

“When I look back on my Air Force career I am so grateful for the opportunities that it gave my family and I,” said Russel. “My husband and I like to take walks in the evening in our neighborhood, and we can’t stop saying how grateful we are.”

As for the next chapter for Russel, she will continue working as a civilian as the United States Transportation Command as an inspector general.

“(Retiring) was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make,” said Russel. “Deciding to leave the Air Force and retire was a big decision, but in retrospect the timing was perfect.”

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.

Stay connected, visit Grissom on Facebook and Twitter.

Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer