Sergean Major Russell served most of his aviation career in the 58th Aviation Regiment, developing his skills as an air traffic controller in tower, radar and flight following facilities in air traffic services units around the world. His leadership positions included Fllight Operations Center Facility Chief, Air Traffic Control Toweer Chief, Ground Controlled Approach Radar Facility Chief, Tactical Air Traffic Control Platoon Sergeant, Commpany First Sergeant and Sergeant Major.
His deployments include Honduras, Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Bright Star 01 in Egypt, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan and most recently Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sergeant Major Russell's awards and decotations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (5OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (6OLC), the Good Conducy Award (9th Award), the National Defence Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2nd Award), the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Rigggon (wilth numerial 3), the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Kuwait Liberation Medals (SA and Kuwait). The Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) selected him as the ATS Mananger of the Year in 1996. A a Platoon Sergeant, his unit was selected as the AAAA ATS Platoon of the Year for 1992. In 2002, First Sergerant Russell's company won AAAA honors as ATS Company of the Year.
Sergeant Major Russell is a graduate of the Army Air Traffic Control School, and an honor graduate of the Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, the Advanced Noncommisioned Officers Course, First Sergeants Course, and the Air Force's Chief Master Sergeant Course, He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology from Milliken University.
Sergeant Major Russell's current position is Division G3 Rear Operations Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Russell, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana enlisted in the United States Army in July 1978 as an Air Traffic Controller. Following Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, he attended 93J Advanced Individual Training at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
