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Pat Nugent

Senior Master Sergeant (Ret.) Pat Nugent joined the Air Force wanting to become a jet engine mechanic, but he quickly found out that Air Force needs come first and he was sent to school to become a parachute rigger.  


With a passion for photography, Nugent was able to cross-train to a new career field, enjoying assignments in Nebraska and Colorado before getting assigned to the Air Force’s “Thunderbirds.”  That assignment led to a competitive selection as a photojournalist and resulted in advanced training at Syracuse University.  

While stationed in Germany, Nugent covered the Rhein-Main Air Base bombing and the return of hostages Father Martin Jenco and David Jacobson, as well as those kidnapped from the Italian cruise ship “Achille Lauro.”  Nugent also covered Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, PROVIDE HOPE and the Panama invasion.  He supervised the “Prototype” Electronic Imaging Center during the early and groundbreaking days that introduced digital photography to the Department of Defense.  Nugent retired in 1992 after 23 years of service and continues to participate in military photography workshops and the Military Photographer of the Year program