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Red Flag chaplain serves along flight lines

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Emily Chilson
  • Red Flag Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  The Red Flag chaplain monitors the morale of Airmen on the flight line as temperatures rise and the days grow long. 

At Red Flag, an exercise that provides young Airmen - especially pilots - with the opportunity to experience a realistic combat environment, workdays are lengthy, and temperatures are high. 

Couple that atmosphere with stress or unexpected life issues Airmen may deal with on a day-to-day basis and real problems could result. 

That's where the chaplain comes into play. 

Although he's only one man, the Red Flag chaplain serves all nine units at Red Flag 09-4, including maintainers, pilots, medical and mission support staff. 

"This is as stressful as a deployment when it comes to heat, workload and hours," said Chaplain (Capt.) Kevin Chelf, Red Flag 09-4 chaplain from the 20th Fighter Wing on Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. "And there are still stressors both here and back home. I want them to know they have someone to talk to before problems overcome them." 

One of the obstacles the chaplain has to overcome initially is becoming recognizable around Red Flag to the point where Airmen know who he is, and that he's available to them. So the chaplain and his assistant become a presence. 

From water and Gatorade, to burgers and popsicles, the Red Flag chaplain and his assistant boost spirits and serve along the flight line, making sure Airmen stay encouraged and hydrated as they turn aircraft from one sortie to the next. 

"It's really a chance to get out and put eyes on people," said Chaplain Chelf. "A lot of it is being visible. Hopefully the first time they see us isn't when they have an issue." 

As the Red Flag 09-4 chaplain's assistant, Staff Sgt. Shane Rushforth, also from Shaw AFB, coordinates the logistics and administrative duties necessary to support the chaplain's programs. One such program was delivering popsicles to Airmen on the flight line. 

"We basically go around and make sure the morale is good," said Sergeant Rushforth. "We gave popsicles to about 30 Israeli Air Force maintainers and a couple of them gave us patches because they were so thankful for the cool refreshment." 

While Chaplain Chelf and Sergeant Rushforth passed out popsicles, a few Israeli maintainers asked about religious services available in the area, a question the chaplain was there to answer. 

"We're here to facilitate religion as well," Chaplain Chelf said. "We're not providing services but we can find what people need either on Nellis or downtown." 

But sometimes Airmen think they can't use the chaplain as a resource if they're not religious, which is not the case. 

"Even if they're not religious, they still have that confidentiality if they need to talk to someone," Chaplain Chelf said. "And we're not here to convert Airmen either. We're here to listen and defend their First Amendment rights. If they don't choose religion, then I'm here to protect that too." 

The duo may be officially assigned to Red Flag; however they jumped at the opportunity to serve Green Flag units too. One of those units is the 79th FS, also from Shaw, and one of Chaplain Chelf's home station areas of responsibility. 

Chaplain Chelf works closely with the Green Flag first sergeant to provide lunch for the maintainers working in both exercises. And as a true team effort, the Nellis Chapel and maintenance group provided coolers to facilitate the chaplain's efforts on the flight line. 

For the Red Flag chaplain and his assistant, no meetings and no administrative requirements like those at home station, means more time to do what they love. 

"It's truly doing ministry," Chaplain Chelf said. "And it's about building relationships." 

Having the opportunity to serve alongside the Airmen and listen to them talk about what they do is where the relationships begin. With relationships comes trust, and that's what Airmen can expect from the chaplain. 

"This is what I love doing," Sergeant Rushforth said. "Being out there with the guys. If they would let me turn wrenches, I would." 

Red Flag has given Chaplain Chelf a unique perspective that most chaplains wouldn't get until they actually deploy. 

"Seeing the units work together, and how that fits into the mission has been eye-opening," he said. "I understand the Air Force is a huge machine, and I get to be a part of it."