Military News

Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Larry Blake has been selected for promotion to chief master sergeant.

The Tyler native, who has served in the Air Force for 19 years, is a member of the 45th Medical Group, 45th Space Wing, at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.

“This has been a goal of mine for a long time,” Blake said at the base’s medical clinic after the announcement was made by Lt. Col. Jay Burks. “All of the hard work and studying and schools have paid off.” Blake’s promotion was one of two from the 45th Medical Group, a source of pride for the group’s superintendent, Chief Master Sgt. Bill Yagatich.

“This promotion speaks volumes for the quality of personnel we have here in the Medical Group,” he said.

Blake attended Tyler Junior College and will receive his master’s degree in January from the University of Southern Illinois, Carbondale.

He is the son of Sgt. Frank Blake and Mary Blake of Bullard. Sgt. Blake is retired from the Tyler Police Department and Smith County Sheriff’s Department in Bullard.