Airman Asche soared high, Local veteran honored for photography
WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO
You probably recognize Scott Asche in the photo where he works at Rocco’s in Holton.
When Scott Asche, 55 of Osgood, signed up for the military he never dreamed he would see things in a whole new way – through a camera lens.
Asche said he feels he has come full circle after he landed in Ripley County in the past few years. He has several family members in the area, but his father Gene, moved away several years ago to go where the “good paying” jobs were located and that was in Illinois. Scott went to school there and then made the decision to join the Air Force. He noted at that time jobs were not as plentiful, and he wasn’t sure where his career would lead him.
It didn’t happen overnight, but through his dedication and hard work, he became a combat photographer, and the rest is history as they say.
However, he put in the hard work training to be a “still photographer”. He eventually went on to digital, mostly teaching himself, while getting some tips from others in the field.
Taking a look back at his days in the military, he laughed, “It made me a better person. I earned friends and learned a lot.” That was after he was working jointly with some Marines and Army guys who took him on a seven-mile-run.
He disclosed that he had what is called “test-anxiety” and had a hard time taking tests. He didn’t let that get him down, he took a class to help him understand how to cope. He locked himself into studying and graduated in the top ten percent of his class with the Air Force.
He jumped at the chance of going overseas where he excelled in the photography field. He talked about taking photos in Kosovo and being at an air base in Italy. While there he was uploading photos directly to the Pentagon. While much of his work was sensitive, he noted that he enjoyed being assigned to Open Skies Treaty out of Wright AFB.
One of Scott’s achievement medals was as a Senior Airman October 10, 1998, to November 11, 1998. It reads in part, “Senior Airman Scott A. Asche distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while deployed to Cervia Air Base, Italy. During this period, Airman Asche’s outstanding photographic expertise was instrumental in the establishment of a combat camera team to document the Air Force’s first-ever Air Expeditionary Force deployment supporting Operation SKY ANVIL, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization mission for the crisis in Kosovo.
”The award went on to say Scott was responsible for the processing of 1,400 digital photographs and video recordings of daily flightline and logistic support functions used to brief deployed leadership and major command operational planners.
Asche was chosen by public affairs to provide photographic support during the annual Cervia Air Base Open House that attracted over 20,000 civilians along with local dignitaries and senior Italian military leadership.
Always wanting to be helpful, Scott volunteered to perform mail clerk duties providing mail service for more than 350 deployed personnel from nine different bases. “Hey, getting mail from home, or sending it out is important,” he remembered.
The last line in his commendation reads, “The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Asche reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”
Scott came home, met the love of his life, Tami, and the two are celebrating 25 years together.
He’s seen a lot, many things he can’t talk about, but is proud of his service to his country. He carries that same sense of getting things done in his position at Rocco’s in Holton, where he works now. Rocco’s is a liquor store that carries a large variety and is owned by Joe and Ila Cottone. He enjoys everyone who stops in, and they love interacting with him. He’s a positive force who says, “all the money in the world doesn’t matter unless you have purpose.” He has led a life of purpose and hopes to have many years left to bring positivity to others. “Hey, I need that positive reinforcement, too,” he concluded.
Meeting Scott makes you feel as though he’s lived a whole lifetime before settling in Ripley County. One of ups and downs, learning and teaching, joy and sorrow. Through it all, Ripley County is fortunate to have this veteran on home turf bringing up the spirits of those he meets.
