Honoring Our Heroes

Technical Sergeant Jason R. Hughes: Age 52

Technical Sergeant (TSgt) Jason R. Hughes served 12 years in the U.S. Air Force including nine years in the AL Air National Guard and three years in the Air Force Reserve. His Air Force Specialty Code was 2E2X5, Electronics Computers and Switching Systems. He received the following medals, awards, citations and awards: Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with one Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air and Space Overseas Ribbon - Short Tour, Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air and Space Longevity Service Award border one Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal Hourglass Device “M” Device three, Small Arms Expert

Marksmanship Ribbon, Air and Space Training Ribbon and Alabama National Guard Active-Duty Basic Training Ribbon.

TSgt Hughes was born May 30, 1972, to his parents, Jack and Janice Hughes in Omaha, NE, and he was reared in Glenwood IA and, Bellevue, NE with his older brother, Jeff. After graduating from Papillion Lavista High School in 1992, he worked at various jobs for seven years.

TSgt Hughes’ decision to enter the U.S. military resulted from his being raised in a patriotic family with a long, deep commitment to military service. His maternal grandfather and five paternal great uncles served during WWII, his uncle served for three years in the U.S. Navy and two cousins, one in the Navy, and the other in the Army. As a youth, he traveled with his family to many historical sites across America including: (1) homes of the former presidents of the U.S.A, Harry S. Truman, Gerald N. Ford, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, etc., (2) Washington, D.C., (3) Liberty Bell, (4) Mt. Rushmore, (5) Arlington National Cemetery, etc. These trips had an enormous impact upon his gaining an appreciation for the democracy of and service to America. In addition, his membership in the Boy Scouts of American where he attained the rank of Eagle Scout reinforced the Boy Scout’s motto, BE PREPARED, which means, you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your duty.

TSgt Hughes volunteered and entered service in the U.S. Air Force in Montgomery, AL, November 5, 1999. He completed six weeks of Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), TX, in January 2000. He was assigned to the Combat Communications Squadron 232nd Air Force National Guard Unit in Montgomery, AL. He completed six months of computer and switching systems training at the 81st Training Support Squadron at Keesler AFB, MS, in 2001. While stationed in Montgomery, AL, TSgt Hughes completed three deployments to the Middle East, namely, (1) during February 2003-July 2003 at a classified location in the Persian Gulf with the 232nd Communication Squadron to set up voice and data communications three days before the Iraq War began, (2) during April-October 2005 in Afghanistan to work on telephone, inventory and

cryptography security systems and (3) during January-June 2008 during Enduring Freedom in Iraq to maintain telephone cables and lines and work the help desk. TSgt Hughes served with the U.S. Air Force National Guard and in the Reserve 908th Airlift Wing on Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, AL, until his retirement

November 5, 2011.

TSgt Hughes conclusions about what his military has meant to him are: “Because of my family’s being patriotic, I was blessed as a child to travel on historical trips which highlighted the finer points of America’s history. This gave me a sense of how fortunate we are to live in America. How could I not join the military?”

TSgt Hughes continues to work with IT

operations in the AL Department of Finance where he has been employed for the past 20 years. He and his wife, Ashley, have five children between them. He is a life member and serves as post trustee of the VFW Smith-Wynn Post 96 in Montgomery, AL. In addition to his VFW Officer duties, he is the Post 96 videographer and produces videos for the Post's YouTube Channel, VFW Smith-Wynn Post 96 where viewers can see informative speakers from Post meetings as well as events the Post conducts or attends, such as Veteran Funerals, Ceremonial events, veteran spotlight videos, etc.

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