desert STEP promo

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – Tech. Sgt Russell Bledsoe, 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flightline expediter, was promoted to master sergeant Dec. 19 through the Stripes for Exceptional Performers program. Colonel Bernard Mater, 317th Airlift Group commander, presented Sergeant Bledsoe with his new stripe via telecom to Southwest Asia, where Sergeant Bledsoe deployed in October from the 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. Lieutenant Col. Alfred Bello, 386th EAMXS commander (right), and Chief Master Sgt. Charles Smith, squadron superintendent (left), physically presented Sergeant Bledsoe (center) with the stripe. His wife, Noelle Bledsoe, was present during the telecom. Covert communication between the desert and home station ensured both Sergeant and Mrs. Bledsoe were surprised. "Mrs. Bledsoe was originally concerned to receive an early-morning call from me asking her to come by my office, but I assured her all was fine,” said Chief Master Sgt. James Collins, 317th AMXS superintendent. “Afterward, she informed me the trip was well worth it, and it will be a well-remembered Christmas." (Courtesy photo)