Ben Bloker Master Sergeant (Ret.) Ben Bloker joined the Air Force in August, 1990 as a military photographer. When asked why he joined he would exclaim, “because I like planes!” During his 24-year career as photographer, Bloker specialized in photojournalism and aerial photography. After logging more than 121 missions in 16 different aircraft, as well as being an integral part in documenting the bed down of the first operational F-22 squadron, some might say Bloker got his wish of being around planes. Throughout his career, he covered combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and had the unique opportunity to work as a Stars and Stripes newspaper photographer in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Bloker spent the last few years of his military career as the Chief Enlisted Manager and Superintendent of the 2nd Combat Camera Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. He has been married to his wife Melody for 18 years and they have five children: Ian, Katherine, Grace, Hope and Jessica. Newly retired, Bloker wishes to spend his life as a hospitality host with the company Cadence International. As a hospitality host, he would open his home to military members to come, study, praise God and do a wide range of activities and hobbies together.