Staff Sgt. Patrick Evenson is a photojournalist assigned to the 139th Airlift Wing, Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, Mo. Rosecrans is the home of the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center and the 241st Air Traffic Control Squadron. The 139th AW is one of the two flying wings currently in the Missouri Air National Guard and operationally flies the C-130 Hercules aircraft. He supports the wing in media relations, community engagement and special events that advance understanding and regard for the 139th Airlift Wing and its mission.
Staff Sgt. Evenson joined the United States Marine Corps in 2007. After completing Boot Camp and Marine Corps Combat Training he attended the Defense Information School at Fort Meade, Md., where he graduated as honor graduate. He served as a combat photographer for five years included two combat tours in the Al Anbar province, Iraq during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. During active duty Staff Sgt. Evenson earned an Associate of Arts from American Military University in 2012. After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Staff Sgt. Evenson enlisted in the Missouri Air National Guard in April 2013. He attended Northwest Missouri State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Multimedia Journalism in 2016.
In 2014 Staff Sgt. Evenson performed State Emergency Duty in Ferguson, Mo., providing historical documentation photography of the Missouri Guard’s civil disturbance response role. In 2017, he deployed in support of contingency operations at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, where he provided public affairs support to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing.
EDUCATION
2008 Marine Boot Camp, Marine Corps Depot Station, Calif.
2008 Defense Information School, Fort Meade, Md.
2012 Associate of Arts, General Studies, American Military University
2016 Bachelor of Science, Multimedia Journalism, Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Mo.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. July 2008 – July 2010, Combat Photographer, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
2. July 2010 – Oct 2012, Combat Photographer, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1, MCAS Yuma, Ariz.
3. April 2013 – Present, Photojournalist, 139th Airlift Wing, St. Joseph, Mo.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal, one bronze star device
Air Force Longevity Service Award
Missouri National Guard Commendation Medal, two bronze oak leaf cluster
Missouri National Guard State Emergency Duty Ribbon, two bronze star device
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2012 Marine of the Quarter (2nd), Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz.
2016 Air National Guard Photographer of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Private First Class - April 1, 2008
Lance Cpl. - December 1, 2008
Cpl. - December 2, 2009
Staff Sgt. - October 1, 2016
Tech. Sgt. - October 26, 2018
(Current as of January 2019)