HOMETOWN NEWS

For immediate release.

Air Force Master Sgt. Vincent P. Villanueva has arrived for duty at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas. Master Sgt. Villanueva, recently promoted, has received the Commendation Medal. This is his second award of the medal. He is an aerospace ground equipment craftsman has served in the military for 13 years. He is the son of Paulette Y. Borgo, and stepson of Roger S. Borgo, of S. 81st Court, Palos Hills, Ill. His wife, Stacie, is the daughter of George J. and Lazetta M. Ahrendt of S. Park St., Inwood, Iowa. Villanueva graduated in 1994 from Amos Alonzo Stagg, Palos Hills, Ill., and received an associate degree in 2001 from Community College of the Air Force.

For immediate release.

Matthew J. Van Klompenburg has been promoted to the rank of sergeant in the U.S. Army National Guard. Van Klompenburg, a computer technician, is assigned to the Iowa National Guard at Headquarters Company, 334th Brigade Support Battalion, Iowa. The sergeant has served in the military for three years. He is the son of Marlo Van and Carol Van Klompenburg of 228th Place, Pella, Iowa. The sergeant is a 2002 graduate of Pella Christian School.

For immediate release.

Air Force Lt. Col. Rebecca J. Sonkiss has assumed command of the 15th Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina. The squadron is responsible for organizing, training and equipping aircrew to support the C-17 Globemaster III cargo mission worldwide. She was previously the director of operations and evaluator aircraft commander for the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston. She is the daughter of Thomas and Jeanne Sonkiss of England Beach Road, White Lake. Sonkiss graduated in 1990 from Lakeland High School in Highland, Mich., and received her bachelor’s degree in 1994 from U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Sonkiss has served in the military for 16 years. Her assignments have taken her to such places as Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma, Washington state, Washington, D.C. and South Carolina. She is a senior pilot with more than 3,500 flying hours to her credit. Her awards include three awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, four awards of the Air Medal, three awards of the Aerial Achievement Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and two awards of the Air Force Commendation Medal.

For immediate release.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael J. Rozneck has been named Operator of the year, for the 50th Space and Missile Systems at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colo. Selection was based on the individual’s exemplary duty performance, job knowledge, leadership qualities, teamwork, significant self-improvement, personal achievements, notable accomplishments, and community service and support. Rozneck, a crew chief, has served in the military for 12 years. He is the son of Helen L. and Larry A. Rozneck of S. Hopkins, Grand Haven, Mich. The sergeant graduated in 1997 from Muskegon Catholic Central High School, and earned a bachelor’s degree in 2008 from the University of La Verne, Calif.

For immediate release.

Stephen D. Pedrotty has been promoted in the U.S. Air Force to the rank of colonel. Based upon his promotion, he has been assigned as the new commander of the 8th Operations Group at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea. Pedrotty is the son of Doug and Judy Pedrotty of 110th Ave, Baldwin, Wis. His wife, Tina, is the daughter of Richard and Jo Cerny of Spanish Bluff Road, Cobden, Ill. Pedrotty graduated in 1985 from Baldwin Woodville High School in Baldwin, Wis., and received a bachelor’s degree in 1989 from the University of Colorado at Boulder. During a career that has spanned more than two decades, Pedrotty has had assignments in such places as New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Utah, South Korea, Italy, Iraq, and Washington, D.C. He has held positions that ranged from navigator to fighter pilot, operations director, plans chief, squadron commander, weapons division operations deputy and now group commander. His awards include the Bronze Star, three awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, 14 awards of the Air Medal, four awards of the Aerial Achievement Medal, four awards of the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal.

For immediate release.

Stephen D. Pedrotty has been promoted in the U.S. Air Force to the rank of colonel. Based upon his promotion, he has been assigned as the new commander of the 8th Operations Group at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea. Pedrotty is the son of Doug and Judy Pedrotty of 110th Ave, Baldwin, Wis. His wife, Tina, is the daughter of Richard and Jo Cerny of Spanish Bluff Road, Cobden, Ill. Pedrotty graduated in 1985 from Baldwin Woodville High School in Baldwin, Wis., and received a bachelor’s degree in 1989 from the University of Colorado at Boulder. During a career that has spanned more than two decades, Pedrotty has had assignments in such places as New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Utah, South Korea, Italy, Iraq, and Washington, D.C. He has held positions that ranged from navigator to fighter pilot, operations director, plans chief, squadron commander, weapons division operations deputy and now group commander. His awards include the Bronze Star, three awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, 14 awards of the Air Medal, four awards of the Aerial Achievement Medal, four awards of the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal.

For immediate release.

Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph C. Davisson has assumed command of the Expeditionary Center, Mobility Operations School, Detachment 2. Davisson is the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center, Contingency Division Chief, assigned to the 375th Air Mobility Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The colonel has served in the military for 20 years. He is the son of Jeannette E. Davisson of S.W. Nancy Place, Gresham, Ore. The colonel graduated in 1985 from Sam Barlow High School, Gresham, and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1990 from Arizona State University, Tempe. In 2008, Davisson earned his master’s degree from American Military University.

For immediate release.

Air Force Airman Anthony J. Tarnowski graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Tarnowski is the son of John and Debra Tarnowski of Ridge View Drive, Canyon Country, Calif. His sister, Marlee Hunter, also resides in Canyon Country. The airman is a 2009 graduate of Canyon High School, Canyon Country.

For immediate release.

Air Force Airman Alexander M. Ponusky graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is the son of Rhonda Goodale of E. Craig Road, Las Vegas, Nev., and grandson of Roger Rheault of Flat Hill Road, Lunenburg, Mass.

For immediate release.

Air Force Airman Jon G. Mikolajczak graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is the son of Suzanne Smith of Hartford Pike, East Killingly, Conn., and Bruce Mikolajczak of Stephen Drive, Webster, Mass. Mikolajczak is a 2009 graduate of Ellis Technical High School, Danielson, Conn.