Holiday graduation ceremony for ALS Class 26-A Published Dec. 18, 2025 By Daniel Peterson 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School honored 24 graduates in a ceremony December 11 at the Wright-Patt Club. U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Keelye Coffin, Air Force Materiel Command Headquarters command first sergeant, gives a keynote speech during an Airmen Leadership School graduation ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Dec. 11, 2025. Wright-Patt leadership, family, and friends joined to honor the 24 graduates of class 26-A. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Keelye Coffin, Air Force Materiel Command Headquarters command first sergeant, guest speaker and class mentor, highlighted Class 26-A's resiliency, cohesiveness, and commitment. “I asked the class and their cadres to give me one word to describe their class. The cadres’ word was resilient. They said the class shared multiple tough experiences but still showed up with positive attitudes. The word from the class was cohesive, because their cohesion made their class successful,” Coffin shared. “I agree with both words, and my word to describe your class is commitment.” Coffin elaborated how their commitment in the face of adversity throughout their class enrollment stood out to her. U.S. Air Force Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Tessa Fontaine, 88 ABW command chief, join award winners during an Airmen Leadership School graduation ceremony at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Dec. 11, 2025. Wright-Patt leadership, family, and friends joined to honor the 24 graduates of class 26-A. (U.S. Air Force photo by Daniel Peterson) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “It was a pleasure to see your progress and positive attitude that you all brought during our entire time together,” she continued. “Except for that one week when you were all a bit stressed and overwhelmed, but you committed and bounced back.” Coffin shared her favorite story about leadership, a tale of an endless beach covered in stranded starfish and the little girl throwing them back into the sea one-by-one to save them. When told there was no way she could save them all and make a difference, the little girl picked up another starfish and threw it back into the water saying, “I made a difference to that one.” The parable teaches that even the smallest acts of individual effort can make a meaningful contribution, maybe not to everyone but to at least one person. U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School graduates enter the main hall at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Dec. 11, 2025. Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “Be approachable and a leader who listens. Be the NCO who cares and be the supervisor that gives real and honest feedback to hold them accountable to the standards you set,” Coffin concluded. “I have no doubt that you are ready to lead. The Air and Space Force need your passion, your boldness and your heart. You are more than capable of treating everyone you lead as a starfish and make a difference.” Graduates included Airmen and Guardians from Air Force Materiel Command, 88th Air Base Wing, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, and National Air and Space Intelligence Center. ALS is required for staff sergeant selects, and open to eligible civilians, as Airmen learn more about leadership and Air Force culture. Below is the list of graduates and award winners: 73rd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron o Sgt. Savannah Bulman o Sgt. Charles Evans 76th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron o Sgt. Keenan Converse o Sgt. Taylor Jones (Distinguished Graduate Award) o Specialist 4 Jabria Green 88th Communications Squadron o Senior Airman Nathan Helmbold o Senior Airman Karissa Hull (Academic Achievement Award) 88th Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron o Senior Airman Adedayo Daramola 88th Healthcare Operations Squadron o Senior Airman Elijah Cobb o Senior Airman Kyle Lee (John L. Levitow Award) o Senior Airman Daniel Salvador 88th Medical Group o Senior Airman Jasmine Williamson 88th Security Forces Squadron o Senior Airman Paul Claringbold o Senior Airman Zion Crawford o Senior Airman Sarah Foister o Senior Airman Shira Griffin (Leadership Award) 338th Recruiting Squadron o Staff Sgt. Abbie Hawley 375th Aeromedical Evacuation Training Squadron o Senior Airman Cody Wallace 711th Human Performance Wing o Staff Sgt. Jade Minor Air Force Materiel Command o Senior Airman Joni Sabin Air Force Life Cycle Management Center o Senior Airman Joseph Ellis Future Threats Analysis Squadron o Senior Airman Dione Connor-Burrows National Air and Space Intelligence Center Intelligence Support Squadron o Senior Airman Matthew Litt o Senior Airman Andrew Morin