(Left) Col. Corey Martin, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and (right) Chief Master Sgt. Bryan Creager, 376th AEW command chief notify Tech Sgt. Darnell Walls, 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief of operations, of his promotion to the rank of master sergeant Dec. 21, 2012, at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. Wells received his promotion through the Stripes for Exceptional Performers promotion program. The STEP promotion program offers commanders a limited opportunity to immediately promote enlisted members to staff sergeant, technical sergeant or master sergeant. STEP promotions recognize Airmen who exhibit exceptional potential. Wells is currently deployed from Joint Base Charleston – Air Base, S.C, and is a native of Chicago, Ill. (U.S. Air Force / Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rubi)