Who is David Powers?

Something about me

My name is David Powers. I am married to wife Lyn, We have 2 daughters, Hannah who is 22 years and Jaclyn who is 8 years old. One son Sean who is 6 years old.

I am a 23-year resident of Gulfport but I was born in Washington D.C., raised in Northern Virginia, i.e. Alexandria and Annandale. I graduated from Annandale High School in June 1979. Soon after I signed up and entered military service in Delayed Enlistment Program (DEP) at age 17 with my consent.

I entered active duty for the United States Air Force October 1 1979. I quickly became a Security Policeman by December 1979 then volunteered to be a Military Working Dog Handler in Janauary 1980.

My daughter Hannah is on her second enlistment in the United States Navy as a Gunners Mate 3rd class on the USS DDG 79 Oscar Austin.

Military Assignments

My first assignment was for the 475th Security Police Squadron in Yokota AB, Japan from May 1980 through May 1984

After that I was part of the 1st Security Police Squadron of the Langley AFB, Virginia from May 1984 through December 1985.

Later I was with the 7217th Security Police Squadron of Ankara Air Station, Turkey from January 1986 through April 1987. (First Explosive Dog Handler for Central and Northwest Turkey)

Soon I was stationed in Germany and joined the 377th Security Police Squadron of the Ramstein AB, Germany (at one time it was called West Germany until the collapse of Communism) from May 1987 through May 1991.
(I survived an August 1988 Flugtag Air show disaster, receiving lung damage and a 30% disability from the USAF while saving lives, providing first aid and recovering the dead and wounded from the scene of the incident)

Lastly I was part of the 3380, later it was the 81st Security Police Squadron of Keesler AFB, Mississippi June 1991 until I retired from 20 years of active military service on November 1st, 1999.

Military Awards

AIR FORCE COMMENDATION MEDAL with 4 devices
AIR FORCE ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL with 2 devices
JOINT MERITORIOUS UNIT AWARD
AIR FORCE OUTSTANDING UNIT AWARD with 1 device
AIR FORCE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL with 5 devices
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL
ARMED FORCES SERVICES MEDAL
AIR FORCE OVERSEAS SHORT TOUR RIBBON
AIR FORCE OVERSEAS LONG TOUR RIBBON with 1 device
AIR FORCE LONGEVITY SERVICE AWARD RIBBON with 3 devices
NCO PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION GRADUATE RIBBON with 1 device
SMALL ARMS EXPERT MARKSMANSHIP RIBBON with one device
NATO MEDAL

“The reason I list all my medal and ribbons is obvious as I am proud of my military accomplishments either as a individual or part of a team or unit. Some people think they just give medal to anybody. That’s not true, all medals given are truly earned, they tell you about the individual, where they have been and what they have accomplished. As you can see from my decorations I didn’t just show up and get a paycheck and go home.”

Proven Leadership Positions

While serving at Keesler AFB, I held the following positions: NCOIC, Security Police Armory, Trainer, Military Working Dog Section, NCOIC, Military Working Dog Section, Assist Flight Sergeant.

I was also deployed to Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait in August 1997 through September 1998 to be in charge of all Air Force K-9 operations in country providing Explosive dog support to all military and DOD units, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In September 1998 through January 1999. I was a team leader and deployed to San Vito Air Station, Italy in support of Operation JOINT GUARD/FORGE. While there I was an Element Sergeant/Security Area Supervisor in charge of a 27 man flight.

Education and Experience

Community College of the Air Force
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Keesler AFB, and Jeff Davis Campus
Graduate Gulfport Police Reserve Training Academy
Gulfport Police Reserve Police Officer 1991 -1992 (Photo left)
Member of Mississippi High School Activities Association
16 yrs of Varsity Football and Basketball, 7 yrs of Girls Volleyball, 3 years Girls Fast Pitch SoftBall, 2 years of Varisity baseball experience.
Member of U.S.S.S.A. (United States Specialty Sports Association) for past 6 years, held positions as Local U.I C. Umpire in Chief, for Harrison County, Mississippi Gulf Coast, and State Umpire in Chief For Mississippi in Slow Pitch Softball
Currently Asst. Assigning Secretary, Gulf Coast Basketball Association (GCBOA)