Senior Airman Dustin Stewart

  • Published
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  "Tip of the Spear" is a weekly spotlight designed to recognize outstanding Airmen for the work they do every day at Hurlburt Field.  Senior Airman Dustin Stewart, 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron unit deployment manager and crew chief, was selected for this week's spotlight.

Name: Senior Airman Dustin Stewart

Unit: 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron

Duty Title: MC-130P Combat Shadow crew chief and 1st SOMXS unit deployment manager 

Hometown: Warner Robins, Ga.

Date Entered the Air Force: May 30, 2006

Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, water sports, four-wheeling, horseback-riding and watching Alabama football.

Why did you join the Air Force?
I joined to support and defend my country, become more mature and find myself as a person.

How does your Air Force specialty contribute to the mission?
On a day-to-day basis, I ensure all Airmen in my unit are world-wide qualified for deployments and TDYs, including training and medical readiness. I also plan those TDYs and deployments and prepare cargo.

If you were Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force for one day, how would you change the Air Force?
I wouldn't necessarily change anything.  However, I would authorize a summer weight Airman Battle Uniform because they are much more comfortable.

What's your favorite thing about Hurlburt Field?
Knowing I am part of Air Force Special Operations Command, the best command in the Air Force.

What do you like most about being an Airman?
Knowing that every day I make a difference in the lives of my fellow wingmen, the United States Air Force and my country. Also the friends I've met along the way that I never would have met otherwise.

What's one thing you wish you were told before joining the Air Force?
I can't actually think of anything I would have liked to have known. Being that I came from an Air Force background, I thought a lot into it. That's also why I waited until I was 22 years old to join.

What motivates you at work?
I have a passion for helping people. I am a people person, so knowing that I help them on a day-to-day basis motivates me. I enjoy my job as the unit deployment manager very much.

Who are your heroes/role models?
I would definitely have to say my dad, retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Danny Stewart. My dad was very strict on me when I was growing up, and I never knew why. Little did I know he was only doing it for my own good. My dad has been there for me through thick and thin. He led me down the right path in life and never steered me wrong.

Advice to others?
In order to be a great leader, you must first be a good follower.

Why was he selected?
"Airman Stewart is a skilled C-130 Crew Chief, but has been working tirelessly on the squadron staff as a unit deployment manager for the past 12 months. As an aircraft maintenance squadron, our in-garrison mission is to ensure we can succeed down range. He ensures that mission commanders have the best mix of qualified personnel and equipment available in order to meet our commitments. This is no easy task, and the work is never done. In general, his duties include managing the mobility records for approximately 330 maintenance personnel, assembling equipment packages to fit down range requirements and responsibility for $103,000 in weapons and ammunition. On average, the unit deploys 140 personnel each year and facilitates maintenance packages for anywhere from 24 to 32 additional TDYs or contingencies. Airman Stewart is pivotal to our mission!"
-Master Sgt. Phillip Gearhardt, 1st SOMXS first sergeant