LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Ten Langley Airmen re-enlisted with the F-22 Demonstration Team during AirPower over Hampton Roads here June 22.
"Having our Airmen re-enlist in front of the American public was a great opportunity to show our heritage and honor that we so cherish during each and every re-enlistment," said Master Sgt. Leonard Long, 1st Fighter Wing career advisor and former member of the F-22 Demo Team.
Here are some of the reasons why the Airmen chose to participate in the ceremony and volunteer for another four or six years of service:
Chief Master Sgt. Christopher W. MacMullin, Ground Battle Management Operations Branch superintendent
-- "I love the Air Force and still enjoy being in uniform. I think it's important to remind the community that the military is still an all volunteer force and even during a time of war, there are still those who willingly sign up to defend our country and way of life. As a chief who's been in for 22-and-a-half years, I wanted to show them that even those who've been in over 20 years and are retirement eligible continue to re-enlist and serve with the support of family, friends and co-workers."
Tech. Sgt. Erica R. Harris, 1st Maintenance Operations Squadron maintenance training scheduler
-- "Regardless of anything that might be going on around the world or here, this is still the only place I would rather be."
Tech. Sgt. Raymond I. Merrow, 1st Communications Squadron voice network systems craftsman
-- "This is what I have wanted to do since I was a little kid."
Tech. Sgt. Christopher L. Turner, 1st Fighter Wing Equal Opportunity Office
Staff Sgt. Oscar Cardec, 1st Operations Group, knowledge operator
-- "The demo team is the heat! Seriously - the demo team is an example of excellence and represents - for me - the spirit of the Air Force."
Staff Sgt. Damian K. Cordiel, NASA Langley Research Center manpower analyst
-- "I may never have the chance to do something like that again."
Staff Sgt. Joshua M. Ward, 10th Intelligence Squadron network administrator
Senior Airman Jennifer M. Arrington, 1st Equipment Maintenance Squadron Nondestructive Inspection journeyman
-- "I chose to re-enlist with the demo team because I saw it as a great opportunity to make my first re-enlistment a memorable one."
Senior Airman Kellie M. Mossbarger, 1st Comptroller Squadron accounting technician
-- "I thought that it would be a great experience and something a little more meaningful. It also worked out that the date - June 22, 2008 - chosen for this re-enlist was also the same date that I initially joined the Air Force back in 2004."
Senior Airman Rachel Rivas, 1st Force Support Squadron formal training technician
-- "I have a passion for the Air Force and have pride for what we stand for."