TSgt Christopher Rust

Active Duty, Refuel and Bomber Aircraft Maintenance Craftsman


  • Hometown: Russiaville, Indiana
  • Current Location: Grissom ARB, Indiana
  • Injury or Illness: Bilateral Pulmonary Embolism

A little about Me


Tech Sergeant Christopher Rust enlisted in the Air Force Reserves in 1984 as a Refuel and Bomber Aircraft Maintenance Craftsman responsible for keeping the Air Force fleet of air power refueled and Air Force bombers ready to fly. During his last deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2013, Chris began to have severe headaches and blurry vision. He pushed through the pain and after returning home suffered a stroke further complicated by bilateral deep vein thrombosis, neuropath, and lymphodema. This is the second year he attended the Air Force Trials and his first as a Warrior Games competitor. He says adaptive sports has helped him both mentally and physically and has helped him identify his new “normal.” He said, “I will not look at what I can’t do, but what I CAN do!” Chris feels that AFW2 has been instrumental in his recovery and says, and along with the help of his wife Mindy saying, “They provide me the drive I need by reminding me how far I have come and where I am going now.”

Awards and Decorations


  •   AF Commendation Medal w/2 OLC
  •   Meritorious Unit Award w/1 OLC
  •   AF Outstanding Unit Award w/4 OLC
  •   AF Good Conduct Medal w/1 OLC
  •   ARS Meritorious Service Medal w/5 OLC
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