GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- The 434th Air Refueling Wing at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind. held a non-commissioned officer and senior non-commissioned officer induction ceremony on March 1, 2025. 67 Airmen were recognized during the ceremony.
When Airmen are promoted, they not only receive a new stripe on their uniforms, but more importantly that stripe comes with more responsibilities. They will be held to a higher standard of excellence and are expected to lead and exemplify that standard for the Airmen that fall in their chain of command.
Prior to the new Staff Sergeants and Master Sergeants reciting the oath of induction, Chief Master Sgt. Noel Price, 434th Air Refueling Wing command chief spoke about the significance of the NCO and Senior NCO ranks.
“This is a huge milestone transitioning from an Airman to an NCO,” said Chief Master Sgt. Noel Price, 434th Air Refueling Wing Command Chief. “It says a lot about who you are. We expect a lot out of you, we really do. Promotion is for what we see in you.”
Price explained the responsibilities and honor associated with the NCO and Senior NCO roles and emphasized selflessness and dedication expected of them.
“To the Senior NCOs, we’re going to ask a whole lot more of you in the next couple of years, it’s because we have to,” said Price. “Understand why this is important for you to be recognized for your accomplishments. It’s a honor to stand up here in front of you to say welcome to the NCO corps and welcome to the Senior NCO corps.
After their induction oath, Col. Van Thai, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander presented each new NCO and Senior NCO with certificates to commemorate the occasion.
The following Airmen were inducted:
Staff Sgt. Mikolaj Balawender, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Staff Sgt. Caitlin Rene Benbow, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Staff Sgt. Elijah Christopher Bronson, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Staff Sgt. Calvin Dacquan L. Brooks, 434th Maintenance Group
Staff Sgt. Dalen Jamison Bushong, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Staff Sgt. Aaliyah Precious Chavez, 434th Operations Support Squadron
Staff Sgt. Lynsey Marie Chlebana, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Staff Sgt. Kindra Rae Collins, 434th Security Forces Squadron
Staff Sgt. Joshua Aaron Davies, 434th Communications Squadron
Staff Sgt. Noah Arturo Del Risco, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron
Staff Sgt. Nikita Dominique Ellis, 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
Staff Sgt. Francisco Asoka Friedl, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Staff. Sgt. Jordan Tyler Gambrel, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron
Staff Sgt. Michael Pierre Gardner, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Staff Sgt. Cayl Andrew Garland, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Staff Sgt. Ronalyn Gonzalez, 434th Communications Squadron
Staff Sgt. Richard Andrew Helfrich, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Staff Sgt. Austin James Kyle, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron
Staff Sgt. Daniel Christian Langer, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron
Master Sgt. Jordan William Lapoint, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron
Staff Sgt. Ian Kirk Maddox, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron
Staff Sgt. Jacob Alden Mayer, 434th Logistics Readiness Squadron
Staff Sgt. Amber Lynn McNally, 49th Aerial Port Squadron
Staff Sgt. Maridalia Merino, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron
Staff Sgt. Timothy Patrick Olaughlin, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Staff Sgt. Gary Allen Purcell III, 434th Maintenance Squadron
Staff Sgt. Philip Aurthur Roldan, 434th Security Forces Squadron
Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sebastian Sampley, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Staff Sgt. Joanna Briann Skuse, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Staff Sgt. Nicholas A. St Martin, 434th Security Forces Squadron
Staff Sgt. Gavin Atlas V. Steele, 434th Operations Support Squadron
Staff Sgt. Dannica Ashleigh Taylor, 434th Maintenance Group
Staff. Sgt. Dallas Jason Vasquez, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Staff Sgt. Clifton La Mar Wheeler Jr., 434th Security Forces Squadron
Staff Sgt. Armani Nicole White, 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
Staff Sgt. Bruno Matthew Zuniga, 434th Security Forces Squadron
Staff Sgt. Wesley Dailey, 434th Aircraft Maintenance
Master Sgt. Matthew Adam Coyle, 434th Maintenance Group
Master Sgt. Nicholas G. DeLaurentis, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron
Master Sgt. Daniel Jordan Fierro, 434th Maintenance Group
Master Sgt. Tanner G. Fye, 434th Maintenance Group
Master Sgt. Rece Tracy, 72nd Air Refueling Squadron
Master Sgt. Chris Golonka, 49th Aerial Port Squadron
Master Sgt. Lauren Lee Hagen, 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
Master Sgt. Justin A. Halbeisen, 49th Aerial Port Squadron
Master Sgt. Justin A. Halbeisen, 49th Aerial Port Squadron
Master Sgt. Sarah Catherine Howell, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron
Master Sgt. Jamie Dwayne Johnson, 49th Aerial Port Squadron
Master Sgt. Eliezer Michael Kalingo, 74th Air Refueling Squadron
Master Sgt. Jami Katherine Lancette, 434th Air Refueling Wing
Master Sgt. Todd Alan Lincoln, 72nd Air Refueling Squadron
Master Sgt. Jason Daniel Lowe, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Master Sgt. Nathan Robert Lush, 434th Security Forces Squadron
Master Sgt. Tyler James Mace, 434th Operations Support Squadron
Master Sgt. Yvette Gloria Martinez, 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
Master Sgt. Benjamin Nolan Mentink, 434th Logistics Readiness Squadron
Master Sgt. Samuel Thomas Moyer, 434th Operations Support Squadron
Master Sgt. Christian Navarro, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron
Master Sgt. Kenneth Michael Palmer Jr., 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Master Sgt. Manuel Agustin Manuel Paredes, 434th Security Forces Squadron
Master Sgt. Mark Wayne Peavler, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Master Sgt. Mark Allen Plott, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Master Sgt. Samuel Steele Roberts, 74th Air Refueling Squadron
Master Sgt. Darren Robert N. Sims, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Master Sgt. Gary A. Truax, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron
Master Sgt. Anthony S. Velazquez, 49th Aerial Port Squadron
Master Sgt. Blake Jeffery Vohs, 434th Civil Engineer Squadron