Chief Master Sgt. Bridgett Manning saluted for Operation Fan Mail

Born in Muskego, Wis., recently retired Chief Master Sgt. Bridgett Manning knows all about flying, but the Green Bay Packers help keep her grounded.

"I grew up watching the Packers with my family," Manning says. "Mom was always screaming at the TV, and I can hear her yell, 'TOUCHDOWN!'"

Manning continues, "I have worn my green and gold throughout my career. Every time I moved or changed stations, my mom would go to Cranberry Fest and pick me up a new magnet in the shape of Wisconsin that read "I may live in XXXX, but I bleed green and gold."

Packers games helped keep Manning connected to home while she was stationed far away. "The Packers are the perfect home team. Everyone loves them," she says. "Even when I was worlds away, in deployed locations, living in tents, or isolated from normal comforts, I thank Armed Forces Network (AFN) for broadcasting the games. Waking up at 2 a.m. to watch the games was well worth it to have a little piece of home when you are so far away. It was always the conversation piece when I called home to talk to my parents."

Military service

Manning officially retired from the Air Force on Jan. 1, 2022, having earned the highest possible enlisted rank: Chief Master Sergeant. Her career started in 1995 when she went off to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. From there, she was stationed at Tinker AFB (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Elmendorf AFB (Anchorage, Alaska), Moody AFB (Valdosta, Ga.), Kirtland AFB (Albuquerque, N.M.), and Ramstein Air Base (Ramstein, Germany).

Flying onboard various aircraft, including E-3 AWACS, HC-130, MC-130, and Gulfstream V, her jobs included technical work, such as radar maintenance, computer maintenance, and radio operator. She deployed in support of Operations Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Desert Thunder, Desert Fox, Allied Force, and Enduring Freedom, as well as the Global War on Terrorism and the Kosovo and Afghanistan Campaigns.

Always a learner, Manning continued her education while in the Air Force, earning two associate's degrees, a bachelor's degree, and a master's degree. Before her retirement, she managed more than 300 U.S. and Royal Canadian Air Force airmen at Tinker AFB and advised the commander on a long list of topics.

Giving back

"Bridgett has been stationed all over the world, from Alaska to Georgia and Germany to Africa," shares Michelle Pinkert, the friend who nominated Manning for Operation Fan Mail. "She worked not only as a soldier but as a humanitarian. During her travels, she would ask for donations for shoes, toys, and toiletries to donate to local orphanages. And even when Manning was on the other end of the world, she would manage to send a giant box of presents to my house for my kids."

Manning explains her work in more humble terms.

"I think my job has always been of service," Manning says. "Anywhere I can help, I try to. The Air Force has given me so many different opportunities to expand my outreach. But I never did anything alone. My brothers and sisters across all services gathered presents, sporting equipment, and needed goods that were distributed across the globe to include Africa, Afghanistan, Haiti, and the United States."

"She has always been generous, and so in 2014 when I had an extra ticket to a Packers game, she jumped at the chance. She has always been a huge Packers fan, and her office today still has Brett Favre's jersey proudly displayed on the wall," Pinkert says. "She cried when we got there because for everywhere she has been in her life, she had never been to a Packers game."

A second trip to Lambeau

Pinkert received an email late in the evening and couldn't wait to tell Manning the news.

"I was startled awake by the ringing of my phone at 11:45 p.m.," Manning says. "I said, 'Hello?' She said, 'you won!' I had no idea what she was referring to. She said, 'They picked you to go to the game!' I was in disbelief. And by this time, my husband awoke, and I exclaimed, 'We won!' From that moment, we worked on logistics to find a way to Wisconsin from Florida, hoping that the world and weather would cooperate, so we don't miss a chance of a lifetime!"

Manning's husband, Casey, was "ecstatic." Manning says, "He has never been to Lambeau, and now he will definitely experience the 'Frozen Tundra!'"

Manning adds, "But of course, not enough could be said in thanks for my beautiful friend Shelly for taking the time to nominate us for this honor."

So, who is Manning taking to the game with her? As the Operation Fan Mail honoree, she gets four tickets.

"Attending is my husband, Casey Manning, a 22-year retired Air Force veteran; my lifelong best friend and keeper of all of my secrets, Shelly Pinkert, and her fabulous husband, Matt Pinkert."

The future

The Manning family currently lives in Florida but is moving to Valdosta, Ga. Manning says, "I will continue supporting our veterans by working to find our veterans lucrative and meaningful careers after their service with two exceptional companies, VETS2PM and ZP Group.

"In addition, I am currently serving on the Board of Directors with the Jacksonville Veterans Chamber of Commerce. My husband and I look forward to volunteering for events supporting our veterans, like Wreaths Across America and mentoring opportunities."

About Operation Fan Mail 

Operation Fan Mail recognizes military families and veterans at each Packers home game. The program marks its 15th season in 2021. Bridgett Manning is the 146th honoree of the program, which is sponsored by WPS Health Solutions and the Green Bay Packers. 

Visit operationfanmail.com or read about past Operation Fan Mail honorees here: 

• Retired Army Specialist Gauge Hunter 
• Navy veterans Omar and Laura Azmitia 
• Army veteran Eric Bebee and his family
• Cmdr. Eric Quigley saluted for Operation Fan Mail
• Operation Fan Mail honors Army veteran Timothy Rospert
• Lance Cpl. Jack Zimmerman honored for Operation Fan Mail

The Packers and WPS Health Solutions invite interested families, or friends of eligible families, to submit an essay, 500 words or less, on why a particular family deserves a salute. Possible honoree families must have a member serving on active duty, or a member who is a veteran. The family member can be a spouse, mother, father, son, daughter, or sibling. 

Essays can be sent to Operation Fan Mail, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628, or online at operationfanmail.com. WPS Health Solutions is a health insurance partner of the Green Bay Packers. The Green Bay Packers partnership is a paid endorsement.

©2022 Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation and WPS Health Plan, Inc. All rights reserved. JO22109 36719-100-2201