Photo By Master Sgt. Jenifer Calhoun | Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing participate in a wing retreat ceremony on...... read more read more
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By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- He's deployed as the chief of aerospace medicine for the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group, but when was promoted a lieutenant colonel, May 28, Lt. Col. Kevin Bohnsack became the leader for an entire wing for just a few moments.
During the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing's weekly retreat ceremony, May 28, Bohnsack commanded the flight of 380th EMDG Airmen who served as the lead unit for the event.
Every Friday, the 380th AEW sets aside time to hold a wing-wide retreat ceremony to honor the American flag. Air Force protocol procedures state the retreat ceremony serves two purposes. First, it signals the end of the official duty day and second, serves as a ceremony for paying respect to the flag. Because the time for the end of the duty day varies, the commander designates the specific time for the retreat ceremony.
A retreat ceremony may take place at the unit area, on the base parade ground, or in the vicinity of the flagstaff as it is done with the 380th AEW. If conducted at the base parade ground, retreat is a part of the parade ceremony. If conducted within the unit area, it is usually a ceremony not involving a parade.
If the retreat ceremony is conducted at the flagstaff, the units participating may be formed in line or they may be massed, depending upon the size and number of units and the space available.
Deployed from the the 55th Medical Group at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Bohnsack's hometown areas are are Marquette, Ann Arbor and Brighton, Mich. He graduated from Brighton High School in 1990 and earned a bachelor of science degree in biology and German with honors from Albion College, Mich., in 1994.
In 1998, the lieutenant colonel earned his doctor of medicine degree from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, Ill. He first joined the military in 1994 and went on active duty in 2001 -- shortly after completing his family practice residency at Marquette General Hospital in the same year. He's also completed a master's degree in public health from the University of Michigan in 2008.
In the time he has served in the Air Force, Bohnsack said he's come to appreciate the people of the Air Force and the military.
"I have come to fully appreciate the Air Force core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do," he said. "Also, the men and women of the U.S. military are highly dedicated individuals who take their jobs seriously. I am proud to be a part of it serving with them."
The 380th AEW is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, air battle management, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.
| Date Taken: | 06.09.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.09.2010 09:02 |
| Story ID: | 51118 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Web Views: | 148 |
| Downloads: | 119 |
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