Courtesy Photo | Tech. Sgt. John A. Chapman, shown at the rank of Senior Airman, will be the 19th...... read more read more
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Tech. Sgt. John A.Chapman graduated from Windsor Locks High School, Windsor Locks, Connecticut, in 1983. He enlisted in the Air Force on Sept. 27, 1985, as an information systems operator and later volunteered to be a special tactics combat controller, tasked to solve air and ground problems across the spectrum of conflict and crisis.
From basic training, Chapman's first assignment as an information systems operator was at the 1987th Information Systems Squadron at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado. He entered the combat controller training pipeline at Lackland AFB, Texas, in 1989. Immediately following a successful graduation from the CCT courses, he proceeded to his first Special Tactics assignment at the 1721st Combat Control Squadron, Pope AFB, North Carolina. Next, Chapman spent three years at the 320th Special Tactics Squadron in Okinawa, Japan. Later, as a top performer in his career field, he was selectively hired for a special duty assignment at the 24th Special Tactics Squadron. There, as a team leader, Chapman prepared personnel for their roles as Special Tactics operators on the battlefield, conducting precision strike, personnel recovery, and global access with special operations teams around the world.
Chapman was specially trained and equipped for immediate deployment into combat operations. Trained to infiltrate in combat and austere environments, he was an experienced static line and military free fall jumper, and combat diver. Additionally, he earned jumpmaster and dive supervisor qualifications. Chapman was an expert in reconnaissance operations, air traffic control and terminal attack control operations, where he decisively integrated airpower on to the battlefield. While deployed, he directed close air support aircraft, delivering destructive ordnance on enemy targets in non-permissive environments.
Chapman's awards and decorations include the Air Force Cross, Purple Heart, Air Force Commendation Medal with one device, Joint Service Achievement Medal with one device, Air Force Achievement Medal with one device, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two devices, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four devices, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with three devices, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship ribbon, and the Air Force Training ribbon.
Chapman was a dedicated father and husband. He truly was a family man; even when he was away from home, his daughters were the center of his world, a common attribute of Special Tactics operators. John enjoyed hunting with his father and brother,
working on project cars with friends, and was an avid woodworker.
Chapman is survived by his wife, Valerie Nessel and their two daughters, Madison, and Brianna; his mother, Terry Chapman; step-mother, Tess Chapman; sisters Lori Longfritz and Tammy Klein, and brother, Kevin. At the time of his death, Chapman
was survived by his father, Eugene Chapman, who has since passed away.
(Current as of July 2018)
| Date Taken: | 07.30.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 07.30.2018 12:59 |
| Story ID: | 286266 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 1,425 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
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