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JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - The AFE award is an
annual Air Force-level award program, recognizing airmen who achieve
outstanding accomplishments in the career field. The nominations
start at the base level and end at the Pentagon, where the AFE
functional manager decides a winner.
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Senior Airman Amanda Stinnett, 3rd Operation Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment journeyman, checks oxygen hoses for leaks at the 90th Fighter Squadron on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson July 8,
2013. As an AFE journeyman, Stinnett inspects and maintains equipment used by pilots. Stinnett won the Aircrew Flight Equipment Award in 2012, which recognizes outstanding accomplishments from airmen in the AFE career field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer)
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Personnel in AFE are responsible for keeping pilots alive
when things happen unexpectedly. Their job requires constant
attention to detail and a commitment to the safety of the
aircrew they support.
Senior Airman Amanda Stinnett,
3rd Operation Support Squadron AFE journeyman, said she
received an unexpected surprise while deployed to Manas, Kyrgyzstan. While browsing Facebook,
Stinnett was overcome by praises from family, friends and
coworkers.
Stinnett, 24, was pleased and surprised to
discover she had won the AFE award for 2012.
She
joined the Air Force in January 2011 to fulfill her interest
in the military. She said travel and education benefits also
inspired her decision.
Coworkers describe her as one
of the best Airmen on their team and appreciate her can-do
attitude.
"Senior Airman Stinnett is a strong
advocate of giving back to the community and furthering her
personal and professional goals," said Tech. Sgt. Mark
Natividad, former 3rd OSS noncommissioned officer in charge
of AFE.
As an AFE technician, Stinnett ensures
survival kits, parachutes and all gear pilots need to fly is
packed and ready to go in a timely manner.
"My
father is a pilot so it really hits home," said the Tulsa,
Okla. native.
AFE technicians are expected to be
knowledgeable on every piece of equipment needed in specific
models of aircraft in which they operate. Each airplane may
need one or more specific type of parachute or survival kit,
which AFE technicians must know and be familiar with.
This equipment is used by various organizations on Joint
Base Elmendorf-Richardson including the 525th, 90th and
302nd fighter squadrons, who use the parachutes and gear in
their training and real-world operations.
Being
promoted below the zone in 2011 and finishing her upgrade
training three months ahead of schedule shows how dedicated
Stinnett is with her duties as an airman and as an AFE
technician.
Stinnett actively volunteers her time to
the Alaska community by participating in many 5K runs and at
the Anchorage Zoo.
By USAF Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2013
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