Senior Airman Austin Kelley
56th Fighter Wing Command Post
Emergency Actions Controller
Hometown: Galveston Island, Texas
Years in service: Three
Family: Mother, Kimberly Kruisselbrink; father, Mike Kelley; brother, Stanton; and sister, Taylor
Education: Currently attending American Military University for emergency and disaster management
Inspirations: Supervision at the command post, friends and family
Goals: Get a bachelor’s degree
Self-description: Self motivated, outgoing, friendly and athletic
Famous last words: “Deuces!â€
Off-duty interests: Baseball, golf, camping and being with friends
Commander’s comments: “Kelley’s work ethic and enthusiasm are an inspiration to anyone who has the pleasure of working with him,†said Maj. Michael Hurt, 56th FW Plans and Programs. He volunteered for a deployment where he excelled as a controller, proving himself during six real world missile launches and the crash of a predator where his coordination helped recover $2 million in sensitive assets. On top of this, he still found time to volunteer 25 hours to help build the Killed in Action Memorial. Back at home he also finds time. After 12-hour shifts, he reads to children at the Luke Elementary School and keeps a 96-percent average on his monthly emergency action proficiency tests.â€
