Locals get promoted, graduate basic training• Matthew C. Beresky has been promoted to master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Beresky is a loadmaster assigned to the 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson Air Force Base. He is the son of Kimberly L. Hazard and grandson of Luci Duke, both of Colorado Springs. Beresky graduated in 2003 from Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale.

• Airman Thomas S. Obenchain graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Obenchain earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is the son of Tom and Julie Obenchain of Colorado Springs, and a 2010 graduate of Mitchell High School.

• Airman Jordan A. MacDonald graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. MacDonald is the son of Molly Reeves, of Peyton and a 2010 graduate of Liberty High School.

• Airman 1st Class Anthony B. Ward Jr. graduated from the Utilities Systems Apprentice Course at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. Ward is the son of Carmen and Anthony Ward Sr. of Colorado Springs, and a 2011 graduate of Wasson High School.

• Airman Jacob C. Moore graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. Moore is the son of Megan Holthaus of Colorado Springs.

• Airman Micah E. Wells graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. Wells is the son of Michelle Tellez of Colorado Springs, and a 2011 graduate of Widefield High School.

• Airman Seth Ham graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. Ham is the son of Laura Ham of Colorado Springs, and a 2012 graduate of College Pathways.

• Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Joseph R. Langer graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. Langer is the son of Matt Langer of Monument, and a 2009 graduate of St. Mary’s High School.

• Airman Jorden E. Allison graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. Allison is the son of Sean and Elizabeth Howard of Yoder, and a 2009 graduate of Miami-Yoder High School.

• Airman Michael N. Vialpando graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. Vialpando is the son of Lori and Henry Leyba, of Colorado Springs, and a 2006 graduate of Sierra High School.

Has your service member recently been promoted or earned an award? Are you a dependent who has recently earned recognition for your role as a military spouse or child? Tell us about it at www.springsmilitarylife.com/awards and look for your name in an upcoming edition of Springs Military Life.Academy colonel honored for Waldo Canyon fire workAn Air Force Academy colonel was recognized Nov. 20 for his work on recovery efforts after the Waldo Canyon fire.

Mayor Steve Bach presented Col. Martin France with the Spirit of the Springs award for leading more than 250 cadets in mitigation work in the Mountain Shadows neighborhood, as well as on Blodgett Peak.Tickets on sale for Fort Carson holiday playTickets are still available for the Fort Carson Community Theater’s production of “A Christmas Chaos.”

The play, a comedy, centers on a group of amateur actors who try to fill in for a professional theater company when it fails to show up to perform “A Christmas Carol.”

Tickets are $5 in advance with military ID and $7 without. At the door, tickets are $8 with military ID and $10 without. The play will be performed Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 6 p.m. at the Freedom Performing Arts Center, Building 1129. For information, call 492-8949.Air Force Academy recognized for diversityThe Air Force Academy received recognition for its diversity last month from the nation’s oldest and largest diversity-focused, higher-education publication.

The academy received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award from “INSIGHT Into Diversity” magazine along with 47 other colleges.

Airman Seth Ham Photo by

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Joseph R. Langer Photo by

Airman Michael N. Vialpando Photo by