12 at Nellis promoted to highest enlisted rank

Dick Benoit

Thursday, Nov. 15, 2001 | 8:19 a.m.

A dozen airmen at Nellis Air Force Base, nine men and three women, have been informed they will be promoted to the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force, reaching the pinnacle of their military careers.

Evan Godwin, Ted Field, Ronald Foster, Paul Helphenstine, Mary Kochel, David Vinson, Anthony Danford, Ellen Reynolds, Paul Sikora, Leandro Silva, Kevin Slone and Kelly Martin will sew on chief master sergeant stripes in 2002.

The Air Force chief master sergeant selection board was held in October. Eligible candidates were judged on their work performance, time in rank as senior master sergeants, time in the Air Force, number of military decorations and the score they achieved on an Air Force-wide supervisory skills examination. On average they have have been in the Air Force for about 22 years.

First Sergeant of the Year

The Nevada Army National Guard has named 1st Sgt. Kelly Cusanelli of Reno's Detachment 5 Medical Detachment as the 1st Sergeant of the Year. The 25-year Nevada resident graduated from Wooster High School in 1985 and from Truckee Meadows Community College in 1994.

Cusanelli previously served as a first sergeant and flight medic for Detachment 1, 717th Medical Co.

"I owe everything to my soldiers," Cusanelli said. "They are always there when I need them, and they always do an exceptional job. It's their outstanding performance that makes me look good."

Cusanelli also had praise for his wife, Amanda. "My job requires that I spend a good deal of time away from home, and she realizes the importance of what I do and supports my decision to be in the Guard."

Cusanelli's medical unit presented Amanda Cusanelli with a dozen roses, and the Nevada Army National Guard commander, Gen. Robert Hayes, presented her with a certificate of appreciation.

In brief

* Jesse Knight, Eldorado High School class of 2000, has been promoted to the rank of Army private first class. Knight, the son of Tom Knight of Las Vegas, is a ground surveillance analyst assigned to Fort Drum, N.Y.

* Airman 1st Class Carlos Lee, Bishop Gorman High School class of 1996, has arrived for duty at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, as a weapons loader assigned to the 35th Fighter Squadron. Lee is the son of Carlos and stepson of Josephine Lee of Las Vegas.

* Ryan Reeves, Rancho High School class of 2001, has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He is the son of Robin Kanak of Las Vegas.

* Daniel Whitaker, the son of David and Robin Whitaker of Las Vegas, has also graduated from basic military training at Lackland.

Reeves and Whitaker studied the Air Force mission, organization and customs of the service as well as human relations, and they earned credits toward an associate's degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

* Christopher Fairman, the son of Pamela Fairman of Las Vegas, has graduated from the Army's basic combat training at Fort Jackson, S.C. The new soldier received instruction in drill and ceremony, marching, marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, physical fitness and first aid.