Meet Rick Melchert, US Air Force — 2019 Veteran

After graduating High School Rick Melchert joined the Air Force in May 1986, attending basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas. This started his 21 year career as a Heavy Equipment Operator. After boot camp he was sent to Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri for 12 weeks to learn his trade. His first duty station was Hickam AFB, Hawaii, where he stayed for almost four years before returning to the mainland.

Leaving Hawaii, Rick was sent to Hurlburt Field, Florida where he was assigned to the legendary 823 Red Horse Squadron which is a rapid deployable heavy repair civil engineering unit. Rick deployed multiple times with this unit traveling to many parts of the world. He deployed to the following operations:

  • Operation Cornet Aspen – Egypt (June 1990 – September 1990)
  • Operation Desert Shield/Storm – Eskan Village (October 1990- April 1991)
  • Operation Desert Calm – Eskan Village (June 1991-November 1991)
  • Operation Restore Hope – Somalia – (December 1992- April 1993)
  • 554 Red Horse Squadron Osan, Korea June 1993-June 1994 Korea tour, then back to 823 Red Horse
  • Operation Uphold Democracy – Haiti – (Oct 1994-February 1995)
  • Operation Enduring Freedom – Qatar – (Oct 2001-March 2002)

After 14 years in Red Horse, Rick finally received orders to Minot AFB, North Dakota where he deployed three more times for his country:

  • Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan – (Oct 2003- July 2004)
  • Operation Iraqi Freedom – Iraq – (May 2005 - Feb 2006)
  • Operation Ending Freedom – Afghanistan – (July 2006 – Jan 2007)
Photos of Rick Melchert, US Air Force (Click the image to begin a slide show)
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In April of 2007 Rick retired from the Air Force after serving 21 years on active duty achieving the rank of E-7 Master Sergeant.

Rick's Awards and Decorations include:

  • Meritorious Service Medal
  • Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 Oak leaf Clusters
  • Air Force Achievement Medal with One oak Leaf Cluster
  • AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and Six Oak leaf Clusters
  • AF Good Conduct Medal with Six Oak leaf Clusters
  • National Defense Service Medal with one service star
  • Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
  • Southwest Asia Medal w/ 2 silver stars
  • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  • Korean Defense Service Medal
  • Humanitarian Service Medal
  • AF Overseas Ribbon Short
  • AF Overseas Ribbon Long
  • Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border

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Jeff Anderson
CEO/Founder, Rebuilding Warriors