Airman sheds 115 pounds to work on F-22s in Alaska

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rhiannon Willard
  • 477th Fighter Group Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFNS) --  Eleven months ago, Derrick Bell took the first step in a journey that would change his life in more ways than one.

The 38-year-old husband and father of two shed more than 115 pounds to meet the Air Force Reserve physical standards of enlistment, astounding his recruiter, family and friends as he enlisted in the Air Force Reserve Jan. 15 at Elmendorf Air Force Base.

Lt. Col. Raymond Platt, the 477th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, and Airman Bell met through family and friends over a campfire outing in 2006 at the Airman's cabin in West Beaver Lake, Alaska. With so much in common, they have been true friends ever since.

Airman Bell became intrigued when Colonel Platt told him about the F-22 Raptor and the 477th Fighter Group at Elmendorf Air Force Base. When Airman Bell expressed interest in the jet and being a member of the 477th FG, Colonel Platt made it his personal mission to make that interest a reality.

Colonel Platt's research found that his friend wasn't too old to enlist, as they had previously thought. Air Force Reserve regulation states that a prior service enlistee's adjusted age must be 40 years old or less. To find the adjusted age, subtract prior-service time from the actual age. Airman Bell had previously served more than four years in the Alaska Army National Guard after he graduated from high school.

"I told Derrick that if he was interested in joining, I would help him get back on track," Colonel Platt said. "Derrick jumped at the opportunity."

Losing 115 pounds in 11 months was a journey for Airman Bell. He didn't lose the weight through fad diets. Instead, he worked hard to change his lifestyle while controlling his caloric intake.

He got up at 4 a.m. and worked out at the Elmendorf AFB Fitness Center five days a week. When he could, Colonel Platt was right there next to him every day. Airman Bell said he cut his food portions by at least half and hasn't had a beer since Feb. 14, 2008.

Airman Bell came to Air Force Reserve recruiter, Master Sgt. Robert Bazor, through the friendship he had developed with Colonel Platt.

"We knew that he had a long way to go before he could enlist, but we also knew that this was a situation that could be fixed with the right amount of determination," Sergeant Bazor said. "He called me every month to give me an update on his weight loss."

Colonel Platt received the added bonus of enlisting Airman Bell under the Air Force Reserve Get One Now Program. The program provides benefits to the Air Force Reserve, the individual being referred and the person who has recommended the referral. More details about the program are available online at http://get1now.us/.

"I'm always recruiting. Wherever I am in the Alaskan community, I end up talking about the 477th Fighter Group and how great the unit is. The conversation comes natural to me," Colonel Platt said.

Airman Bell enlisted as his wife, Tricia, daughter, Brittny, son, Logan, and other family members and friends witnessed Colonel Platt, administered the oath of enlistment.

Airman Bell credited his support system for much of his success.

"I feel like I'm getting a 'do-over,'" he said. "My family and friends are huge supporters. They've been behind me 200 percent since I decided to go for it."

A lifelong resident of Anchorage, Alaska, Airman Bell works for the Anchorage School District as a senior warehouse specialist Mondays through Fridays. His traditional reservist service commitment to the 477th FG will include working one drill weekend a month and performing 14 days of annual tour per year.

The 477th FG is an Air Force Reserve classic associate unit that shares and maintains equipment with the regular Air Force's 3rd Wing at Elmendorf AFB. The group is responsible for recruiting, training, developing and retaining Citizen Airmen.

Airman Bell will serve as a crew chief on the F-22. He is waiting for a class date to attend technical school training at Sheppard AFB, Texas. When that is completed, he will receive follow-on training at Tyndall AFB, Fla.

In addition to having the opportunity to work on what he considers to be the world's greatest fighter jet, Airman Bell said he has regained his youth and his self-esteem.

"I feel young again," he said. "I'm in better shape and weigh less than when I got married almost 18 years ago! I've got back my confidence, and I thought it was gone for good." 

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