Since a child, Gary Chappell Jr. has always been fascinated by airplanes and being from North Carolina, he was always proud of the fact that flight started there.
He has many mentors some of whom are still serving in the military including CMSgt Leitnaker, MSgt German, MSgt Reeds, and his father Gary Sr.
TSgt Chappell's technical training began at Sheppard AFB, Texas in 2005. The advanced training that he completed consists of a course that he now teaches called Advanced Troubleshooting.
Chappell has served in three major commands at three different locations. While stationed at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, as an RC-135 aircraft maintainer, he supported Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom while deployed. He's also served at Kadena AB, Japan, from 2007-2010 as a FCC/DCC in the 909th AMU participating in the medical evacuation missions frequently landing in bases throughout the Pacific. He also has demonstrated the capabilities of the B-52 Stratofortress, a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber through various operations in Barksdale AFB as well as Anderson AFB. He returned to Okinawa, Japan for a second tour where he's currently assigned to 372nd Training Squadron, Detachment 15, Kadena Air Base, Japan.
Throughout his career Chappell has received several noncommissioned officer quarterly awards and a Global Strike Maintenance Training Flight Instructor of the Year award. He has received training at every duty location where he's been stationed.
As a maintenance instructor, he teaches KC-135 and RC-135 aircraft maintenance; and is responsible for the 18th Wing’s KC-135 advanced curriculum.
Nominated by Dawayne Reeds, detachment chief, U.S. Air Force: "TSgt Gary Chappell leads the second largest detachment in PACAF which houses 12 instructors and covers nine Air Force Specialty Codes. His responsibilities include managing a 20,000-square-foot facility, $7.9M in training equipment, and controlling the department's $11,000 annual budget. TSgt Chappell also supports USPACOM, USSOCOM and AFMC’s air expeditionary force safety initiatives by overseeing instruction of 60 courses and their curriculum meanwhile providing subject matter expertise for Kadena Air Base’s KC-135 aircraft unit, the 909th Air Refuel Squadron. During his first year of instructing, he successfully completed 12 courses that spanned over 140 objectives and graduated over 40 maintenance technicians. TSgt Chappell also governs the KC-135 engine run program and united the engine run qualifications with auxiliary power unit certifications. His efforts directly contributed to the 909th ARS’s 9,000 flying hours and aided the completion of over 6,000 missions in calendar year 2017. The result of those missions yielded the delivery of 90 million pounds of fuel to aircraft flying throughout the area of responsibility."
TSgt Chappell is the president of the Air Force Association Chapter 502, a nonprofit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association promoting public understanding of aerospace powe. He has organized 12 events and recruited over 170 volunteers in the process.
His career goals are to continue his Air Force career and retire within eight to 18 years, and then continue in the aviation sector.
