AAMF

Major Phyllis J. Pelky was born in Evergreen Park, Illinois but found her way to New Mexico where she attended the University of New Mexico, graduating with distinction with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Maj Pelky took on one of the most difficult careers one could: a high school teacher. She taught German and Humanities but felt the call to serve after 9/11. Maj Pelky enrolled in officer training school and was commissioned in 2004 and began her service in Force Support. She attained her Master’s degree while leading the Equal Opportunity Office at Kadena Air Base, leading to a tour at the United States Air Force Academy as an assistant professor of German. With her unmistakable integrity and service, she was quickly selected as Aide-de-Camp to the Superintendent of the Academy.

In 2015, while Maj Pelky was serving as an Advisor in Afghanistan as part of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, when a British Puma Mk2 helicopter crashed while landing at the headquarters of the NATO Resolute Support Mission, which was training Afghan security forces, resulting in her death in the line of duty.

Major Phyllis J. Pelky was survived by her husband of 25 years, Dave, her two sons, Zach and Alex (Brandi), as well as six siblings: Cathy, Meg, Mary Jo, Janet, Susan, and George.

Thank you, ma’am.