MRA student pursues his dream

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Veronica McMahon
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  In January 2009, a 38-year-old Alaska resident lost 115 pounds to pursue his dream of enlisting in the Air Force Reserve to work on one of the newest fighter jets in the Air Force, the F-22 Raptor.

Roughly a year after his enlistment, Senior Airman Derrick Bell completed his final phase of training and graduated Oct. 30 from the F-22 Mission Readiness Airmen course here becoming an F-22 crew chief.

"I'm real excited to be working on these jets," said Airman Bell, "and trying to be the best I can be."

Airman Bell, husband and father of two, began working out with a family friend, Lt. Col. Raymond Platt, 477th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

"Colonel Platt told me I wasn't too old just too fat," said Airman Bell, "and we can fix that."

The training entitled a vigorous work out plan and diet. Airman Bell reached his goal weight in 11 months and enlisted in January.
Airman Bell began his first phase of training at Sheppard AFB, Texas, where he graduated with a 97.25 grade point average. The Airman arrived at Tyndall AFB in September as part of a five-person class for Hands-on Technical Training.

"Intelligence-wise, (Airman Bell) is very smart and thorough," said Tech. Sgt. Todd Cessna, 372nd Training Squadron MRA instructor. "He definitely does his homework, I am very impressed. He will do very well as a crew chief given his motivation and his reasons for coming into the Air Force Reserve."

Airman Bell completed his first F-22 launch in October, and, although nervous, he said the experience went very well.

"It seems like Airman Bell has been doing this for years," said Staff Sgt. Jason Booth, 372nd TRS crew chief and instructor. "He is always the first one with his hand up in class and tries to help out other students as much as allowed to help everyone understand."

Fifteen crew chiefs were part of the graduation held Oct. 30. During the ceremony a special guest also appeared to send Airman Bell off into the Air Force Reserve as a crew chief, his mentor and trainer Colonel Platt.

"Derrick had let himself go," said Colonel Platt reminiscing on the days in Alaska, "every time I would talk about the F-22 he went crazy. We enlisted Derrick Jan. 15 and it was a very proud day, Derrick has lost a total of 125 pounds."

Airman Bell was recognized as the distinguished graduate during the ceremony.

"I am proud of Derrick," said Colonel Platt, "he is the example of the model Airman."

Airman Bell will return to join his family and work on the F-22 Raptors at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.