Master Sgt. Scott Kapanke displays a photograph of himself taken during his time as a crew chief with the U.S.A.F Thunderbirds. Kapanke was diagnosed with stage four cancer in 1995 and was medically retired while he underwent treatment. He beat the cancer and was then medically cleared to re-enlist in the Air Force in 1997.  Since his return to active duty, he has taken a special duty assignment with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and deployed for 365 days with the coalition air force transition team to Southwest Asia to train the Iraqi air force on  C-130 aircraft maintenance.  Kapanke is with the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
Staff Sgt. Nicole Mickle
<a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://www.dvidshub.net/image/499257">https://www.dvidshub.net/image/499257</a>