Tip of the Spear

  • Published
  • By SrA Kentavist P. Brackin
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
Hurlburt Field --  "Tip of the Spear" is a weekly spotlight designed to recognize outstanding Airmen for the work they do every day at Hurlburt Field. Airman 1st Class Lyonel Delgado-Perez, an aircrew flight equipment maintainer for 1st Special Operation Support Squadron, was recently selected for the spotlight.

Name/Rank: Airman 1st Class Lyonel Delgado-Perez

Unit: 1st Special Operation Support Squadron

Duty Title: Aircrew Flight Equipment maintainer

Hometown: Naples, Fla.

Date Entered the Air Force: Apr. 5, 2011

Hobbies: Anything sports-related and that's gets me on my feet and running around because I like to stay busy. Pretty much if I'm not eating, sleeping or working I'm at the gym working out playing basketball or football with the squadrons.

What do you do on a daily basis at Hurlburt?
I test and maintain aircrew and life support equipment for flying operations.

What do you enjoy about your job?
The people mostly, I believe I can work anywhere in the Air Force so long as the people that work and serve with me are as entertaining and great to work with as the ones I currently work with.

Why did you join the Air Force?
I want to provide a good future for my family. I have no wife or kids, but I never want to be that husband or father that can't give everything they have for their family

How does your Air Force specialty contribute to the mission?
I consider my job as life insurance. If everything on that aircraft fails then I cannot - my job is to provide the best opportunity for a downed aircrew to make it back home safe to their families.

If you were Chief of Staff/Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force for one day, how would you change the Air Force?
Make it more challenging to get into the Air Force. I have been in the military for almost 2 years and I know what a good Airman looks like and what a bad Airman looks like because I've seen them both. I always say there are more deserving people that can't join for reasons other than physical.

What's your favorite thing about Hurlburt Field?
There's so much to do! There's the gym, bowling, baseball, football, track and I recently discovered Hurlburt has a skate park that is free to ride in - which immediately had me excited to get on my board and ride out there.

What do you like most about being an Airman?
I love to learn new things and being an Airman. We are constantly learning, whether it's from our supervisors or learning from our own mistakes. We are constantly learning and improving ourselves so that one day we can show our knowledge to the newer Airman behind us.

What's one thing you wish you were told before joining the Air Force?
I kind of wish I was told that officers fly all the planes in the Air Force. I hope to one day fly a plane maybe once or as a career in the Air Force, but I have to become an officer to do so. It would have been nice to know that I should've gone the officer route.

What motivates you at work?
It is a possibility that someone's life is going to be in my hands. In tech. school I was told "It's not if it will happen, but when it happens. When it does happen you should be confident that whoever uses your equipment is in safe hands."

Who are your heroes/role models?
My basic training instructor definitely gave me that push and foundation for excellence. Our ex-honor guard NCO-in-charge and assistant NCO-in-charge Tech. Sgt. Kendall and Staff Sgt. Meehan. They taught me to be perfect in all of the Air Force core skills and definitely gave me a great direction to head in my career. Lastly, my supervisor and current assistant NCO-in-charge, Staff Sgt. Montford and Staff Sgt. McGehee, taught me how to do my current job right and have fun doing it at the same time.

Advice to others?
It only takes one opportunity to shape your career in the right way. I was never too sure about making the Air Force a career, but after Honor Guard I received two achievement medals in a span of 6 months. This convinced me that my path was already laid out for me - I just need to stay the course. Even though you might not always have an amazing moment or a high medal yet in your career continue to strive for it so that it will be placed in your field of view.