United States Air Force Master Sergeant, Retired

Carla grew up in Potosi, Wisconsin. She attended Potosi High School, graduating with the class of 1985. She then signed up under the delayed enlistment program December 1985. On 7 May 1986, Carla arrived at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas for basic training. Upon graduating from basic training in June 1986, she attended technical training school in the Materiel Facilities Specialist career field at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado. As training was winding down, she received orders for her first duty assignment, a short-tour with Comiso Air Base, Sicily from August 1986 to August 1987. Then she received her next assignment with McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey from August 1987 to November 1990. Just after serving four years of active duty, Sergeant McAndrew received a special duty assignment with Tonopah Test Range, Nevada from November 1990 to July 1992. Sergeant McAndrew received orders back to McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey from August 1992 to September 2003. During her time at McGuire, she deployed to Saudi Arabia. Serving several years at McGuire Air Force Base, Sergeant McAndrew was hand picked for an assignment with United States Air Force Expeditionary Center, Fort Dix, New Jersey from October 2003 to August 2007. Master Sergeant Carla McAndrew's final assignment concluded as the Chief of Supply at the 95 Reconnaissance Squadron (RS), Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, United Kingdom from August 2007 to retirement. Upon her official retirement date on 1 September 2010, she had served on active duty 24 years and 3 months in the Air Force. 

 

Master Sergeant McAndrew’s military medals and ribbons include the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster, AF Outstanding Unit Award with seven oak leaf clusters, AF Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters, AF Good Conduct Medal with eight oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with one service star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, AF Overseas Ribbon Short, AF Overseas Long, AF Longevity Service with five oak leaf clusters, USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters, AF Training Ribbon.

 

After retirement, Carla worked at the Veteran Service Office as an assistant to help veterans and their family. Also, she worked as a Facilities Manager and Administrative Assistant. During these times, she returned to school completing her degrees in Software Developing and Programming, and Graphic and Web Design. Currently, she is owner of Focus & Fancy Buds as photographer and designer.

 

Carla is still serving her fellow veterans and her community even after retirement from her active duty career in the Air Force. Carla is a lifetime member of American Legion Post 86 in Susquehanna, PA. Joining while on active duty. She also joined Berg-Averkamp VFW Post 5276 in Potosi, WI in 2019 as a lifetime member. Since then she's been proudly serving as Post Quartermaster of VFW Post 5276. She earned her eligibility by deploying to Saudi Arabia and receiving the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and hostile fire pay in 1997. She served and still serving as Post Quartermaster earning All-State honors for 2021-2022. Also, earned First Place Award for Small Post Membership Group in the VFW Department of Wisconsin 2022 Publication Contest "All the Way Together" as editor of Berg-Averkamp VFW Post 5276, The Veterans' Star. Recently, Carla was installed as the District 3 Commander at the 2022 VFW State Convention in Milwaukee.

 

Master Sergeant Carla McAndrew and her husband of 31 years, Master Sergeant Kenneth McAndrew, were both assigned to RAF Mildenhall, England at the time of retirement. Both MSgt's retired on the same day as their only son, Joseph, graduated from RAF Lakenheath High School, England.  Joseph is currently serving in the Air Force, stationed at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming with his wife, Amber and our two wonderful grandsons, Spencer, 7 and Elijah, 4. Carla and Ken currently resides in Potosi, Wisconsin.