JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Many families in the National Capital Region recently had the pleasure of attending the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Zing Zang Zoom Circus, but only one family from Joint Base Andrews participated in the show as honorary ringmasters.
Master Sgt. Cameron Rogers, Air Force District of Washington A4/7 UH-1N helicopter program manager, and his family - his wife Maggie, and their two children, his son Samuel, 10, and daughter Lane, 5, - were chosen for the experience of a lifetime as 'honorary ringmasters' at the March 26 show.
"My family and I are very appreciative of the opportunity," said Sergeant Rogers. "This is an experience that my children will remember for the rest of their lives. Since the circus, they've been running around the house with their wizard hats on saying, 'Zing, Zang, Zoom!'"
Chief Master Sgt. Patti Hickman, AFDW A4/7 superintendent, chose Sergeant Rogers for this opportunity because of his dedication during a recent deployment.
"His courageous front-line leadership is a true testament to the type of senior NCO he is," said Chief Hickman. "When I received the e-mail looking for a deserving Airman to represent the U.S. Air Force, Sergeant Rogers immediately came to mind."
During a one-year deployment to Afghanistan, Sergeant Rogers served as the rotary wing maintenance advisor for all Afghan National Army Air Corps rotary wing assets. As a result of his performance, he was submitted for the USAF International Affairs Excellence Award - an award given to one member across the Air Force from the Secretary of the Air Force.
At the show, Sergeant Rogers was a husband, father and ringmaster just 30 days after he returned from serving as an Airman in Afghanistan. His children spent time with the circus clowns and other circus performers as the entire circus team worked to welcome the Airman home.
"After such a long deployment, I'm ready to be back," said Sergeant Rogers. "I'm proud to be a part of this organization and I look forward to my future here."