All of us at 101.5 KNUE are proud to be part of East Texas, and we are especially proud to live in a place where we hold our military and first responders in such high regard.

KNUE + Patterson UTI are proud to announce this week’s “Hometown Hero,” Captain Austin Cardenas of the U.S. Air Force.

Mr. Cardenas, of Tyler, was nominated by Pamela Henderson, who had this to say about him:

Captain Austin Cardenas is a 2005 graduate of T.K. Gorman high school and graduated from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 2010. He did his pilot training on T-38s in Columbus, Mo., and has served two tours in Afghanistan since 2012 flying a MC-12, a surveillance plane. He has been officially credited with 213 combat missions, logging in more than 1,000 combat flying hours. After his return from Afghanistan in March, he returned to Beale Air Force Base in California where he has received the U.S. Air Medal and several other decorations.

To show our appreciation for Austin's dedication and service to his country and community, he will receive a plaque courtesy of Congratulations Awards in Jacksonvillle, They specialize in awards, engraving, trophies, plaques, gifts and more. He also will also receive a gift pack from Edible Arrangements.

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