MSgt. Jonathan Maas, of the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, won the 2019 Spark Tank competition at the Air Force Association’s 2019 Air Warfare Symposium. Photo: Mike Tsukamoto/staff
MSgt. Jonathan Maas, of the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, won the 2019 Spark Tank competition at the Air Force Association’s 2019 Air Warfare Symposium with a prototype power pack for the Joint Chemical Agent Detector. The unit includes a solar collector and battery backup instead of AA batteries to power the detectors. By winning, he’ll now get funding to bring the idea to life.
When members of the 315th Airlift Wing at JB Charleston, S.C., touched down in Cúcuta, Colombia, they had a surprise. Photo: Maj. Wayne Capps
When members of the 315th Airlift Wing at JB Charleston, S.C., touched down in Cúcuta, Colombia, they had a surprise. Flying in on a C-17 loaded with humanitarian relief supplies for starving Venezuelans, they were greeted by Colombia President Iván Duque Márquez and Vice President Marta Lucía-Ramírez. “Today, you may have helped changed the world,” Duque Márquez told the crew. “You are helping more people than you could possibly know.”
Florida Air National Guardsman A1C Peejay Jack. Photo: A1C Caleb Nunez
Florida Air National Guardsman A1C Peejay Jack, a vehicle maintainer with the 290th Joint Communications Support Squadron, interrupted his daily commute to help rescue a man from a burning vehicle. “I did what any other human being would have done,” said Jack, who earned an Airman’s Medal for his actions. “God put me in a position to help a man in need so he could get back to his family.”
MSgt. Nathan Neidhart built a plywood simulator to help airmen train on loading techniques. Photo: Amn. Emily Amyotte
A Kansas Air National Guardsman found a better way to train KC-135 aircrews. 190th Operations Group Aircrew Training NCO-in-charge MSgt. Nathan Neidhardt built a plywood simulator to help airmen train on loading techniques when aircraft aren’t available. “While we were on the jet trying to train, the aircrew had to sit and twiddle their thumbs,” Neidhardt said. Three builders, one weekend, and less than $3,000 solved the problem.
TSgt. Michael Couture took his re-enlistment oath with the team’s commander, Capt. Andrew “Dojo” Olson, while flying in the rear seat of an F-16. Screenshot: USAF video
F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team lead TSgt. Michael Couture took his re-enlistment oath with the team’s commander, Capt. Andrew “Dojo” Olson, while flying in the rear seat of an F-16. Couture, a Burlington, Vt., native, previously worked as an F-16C maintainer and an F-35A dedicated crew chief. He is one of nine enlisted members supporting the team, part of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke AFB, Ariz.
1st Lt. Andrea Lewis, first made history by becoming Georgia Air National Guard’s first black female pilot in April 2017. Soon, she’ll be the first to deploy overseas. Photo: Georgia ANG
1st Lt. Andrea Lewis, first made history by becoming Georgia Air National Guard’s first black female pilot in April 2017. Soon, she’ll be the first to deploy, as well. The E-8C Joint STARS copilot, assigned to the 116th Air Control Wing at Robins AFB, Ga., fell in love with flying after beginning her career as an Air Force Reserve flight attendant.
An 830-mile ruck from JBSA-Lackland, Texas, to Hurlburt Field, Fla., in memory of the late combat controller SSgt. Dylan Elchin. Photo: USAF
Twenty Air Force Special Operations Command airmen on Feb. 22 began an 11-day, 830-mile ruck from JBSA-Lackland, Texas, to Hurlburt Field, Fla., in memory of the late combat controller SSgt. Dylan Elchin and the 19 other special tactics airmen killed in combat since Sept. 11, 2001. The march is the fifth such observance since 2009.
A1C Justen Garrido Guiffreda and his father, A1C Moises Garrido. Photo: USAF
A1C Justen Garrido Guiffreda, 18, an electrical and environmental systems apprentice with the 605th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, might be just another teenage Air Force recruit—except that his father enlisted on the same day as he did. “If it is something you always wanted to do, just go for it,” said his father, A1C Moises Garrido, an aerospace ground equipment apprentice with the 19th Maintenance Squadron. “It’s never too late to chase your dreams.”
NFL rookie running back Phillip Lindsay helped Air Force vet Les Thomas, whose battle with kidney disease had him facing eviction. Photo: Phillip Lindsay via Twitter
Fans raised nearly $5,000 to send Denver Broncos rookie running back Phillip Lindsay to the Pro Bowl, but the undrafted star gave it to someone more needy: Air Force vet Les Thomas, whose battle with kidney disease had him facing eviction. Inspired by a news story on TV, Lindsay donated the money and tweeted out a link to Thomas’ GoFundMe page. By press time, he’d helped raise $20,000 of Thomas’ $25,000 fundraising goal.
TSgt. Gregory Gauntt joined the Air Force after his parents refused to support his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Photo: SrA. Stefan Alvarez
TSgt. Gregory Gauntt joined the Air Force after his parents refused to support his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Thirteen years later, he does both. By day, Gauntt manages fuels knowledge operations for the 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Kunsan AB, South Korea. By night, he’s Ryan Oshun, “The Jersey Devil,” a South Korean pro wrestling heavyweight champ.
Know of someone we should recognize? Send nominees to afmag@afa.org.