NCOA students dedicate classroom

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Reel
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Airey Noncommissioned Officer Academy class 11-4 Airmen Special Activities Council dedicated a classroom to Tech. Sgt. John Chapman May 24.

"The students have created a lasting legacy for all future NCOA students to learn from with the creation of the Tech. Sgt. John Chapman Flight Room," said Chief Master Sgt. Malcolm McVicar, NCOA commandant.

Sergeant Chapman was a combat controller killed in Afghanistan March 4, 2002. He and his team were on a reconnaissance mission in northeastern Afghanistan when their helicopter came under heavy machine-gun fire and was directly hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. The grenade caused a Navy Sea Air and Land team member to fall from the aircraft.

The helicopter made an emergency landing approximately seven kilometers away from where the SEAL fell.

Upon landing, Sergeant Chapman called in an AC-130 gunship to provide close-air support and to cover the stranded team before directing the gunship to search for the missing team member.

Searching for the missing SEAL, Sergeant Chapman engaged and killed two enemy combatants. He then advanced to engage a dug-in machine gun nest. At this time, the rescue team came under enemy fire from three directions. Sergeant Chapman exchanged fire at close range with the enemy until receiving multiple wounds.

His actions enabled his team to move and cover and break enemy contact. The team leader credited Sergeant Chapman's aggressiveness and selfless actions with saving the lives of the entire team.

For his actions, Sergeant Chapman was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross Jan. 10, 2003.

"Tomorrow's students will not only learn from our curriculum, but also that pride in our past gives us faith in our future through the legacy of valor of Sergeant Chapman," Chief McVicar said.

"It is with Sergeant Chapman's legacy that we hope to inspire future classes to become not only better leaders, but better wingmen and warriors," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hinton, NCOA student. "In order to impart these qualities we utilized pictures given to us from the people who knew him best."

"The pictures on the walls reflect John as a family man," Sergeant Hinton said. "All of us have a family, and it is for them that we serve."

There are photographs of Sergeant Chapman training to perfect his warrior skills and of him in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Tech. Sgt. Thomas Hunt, NCOA student, provided a shadow box containing a combat controller's beret which symbolizes the blood shed by fallen comrades. The box also contains occupational badges which symbolize Sergeant Chapman's drive to excel and accomplish the goals he set. There is also an Air Force Cross which illuminates and reflects Sergeant Chapman's selfless service to his team.

Tech. Sgt. Michael Avery provided the special tactics crest which is attached to the podium. The crest is a symbol of the Air Force Special Operations Command family Sergeant Chapman loved, Sergeant Hinton added.

"Everything seen in this flight room serves as a reminder to other technical sergeants of the values we hold," said Sergeant Hinton. "It is our hope that this room will inspire future leaders and remind them of their responsibilities and the sacrifices they may be called upon to make. It is with this flight room that we honor Sergeant Chapman and his legacy."

Information about Tech. Sgt. John Chapman provided by the 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs, Pope Air Force Base, N.C.