Graduates tackle Airman Leadership School, NCO Academy

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
  • I.G. Brown Training and Education Center
MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Tenn. --  U.S. Air Force Airman Leadership School and Noncommissioned Officer Academy graduates celebrated their accomplishments at the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center here Nov. 20 with their leaders' and instructors' approvals and well wishes.

At least 273 Airmen and three U.S. Coast Guardsmen made up the Paul H. Lankford Enlisted Professional Military Education Center's graduated NCO Academy Class 15-1 and Airman Leadership School Class 15-1.

Commandant, Chief Master Sgt. Thomas TK Stoudt told the graduates: "Today is a day to rejoice.

"We do this seven times a year; it never gets old and is always inspirational to me."

The featured graduation speaker was retired Chief Master Sgt. Ed Brown, the 6th senior enlisted adviser to the Director of the Air National Guard.

"Five weeks ago, six weeks ago, you came here for the sole purpose to be charged and taught to be able go back and take care of our precious commodity, that called an Airman," said Brown. "There is no greater blessing than that."

The graduates represented the regular Air Force, National Guard and Reserve Command and included the Coast Guardsmen. They returned to their assigned duty stations nationwide.