1 SOEMS metals craftsman named outstanding civilian of the year

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joe McFadden
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  An aircraft metals technology craftsman from the 1st Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron earned one of the four 2010 Air Force Association Outstanding Air Force Civilian of the Year awards June 29.

AFA officials named Eric Straight, 1st SOEMS aircraft machinist programmer, the wage employee category winner for outstanding achievement in his career field.

"I've got the best job in the Air Force," Mr. Straight said. "If you don't enjoy going to work, you need to find a new job. And I enjoy going to work."

Mr. Straight, who hails from Christiansburg, Va., first started working at Hurlburt Field as an 834th SOEMS active duty metals technician in January 1990. He ended his active duty tour in 1999, but came back to work for the Air Force as a civilian contractor working in helicopter maintenance in 2001. He began his current job at the 1st SOEMS in 2009.

"I love making parts, and they gave me a great opportunity to do that here," he said. "Sometimes you have to be a little more creative, but we've got the best equipment to work with and good training that makes the job fun and a lot easier."

It's that same sense of creativity that Mr. Straight mentioned that became the hallmark of many of his accomplishments listed on his award packet.

"He is a natural leader and his can-do work ethic is contagious," said Senior Master Sergeant Paul Gilchrist, 1st Special Operations Maintenance Group quality assurance superintendent. "You'll never hear an excuse from him--he gets results."

According to the award's accompanying citation, Mr. Straight manufactured more than 200 modified CV-22 bonding straps that replenished the Air Force supply system and ensured success for the Osprey fleet's first-ever combat deployment.

The citation also listed Mr. Straight's design of a one-of-a-kind 40-millimeter gun drill fixture that enabled repair of the weapon without removing it from the aircraft, saving $43,000 per AC-130 gunship, as one of distinction.

"Everything he touches turns to gold," Sergeant Gilchrist said. "He's probably touched or modified every type of special operations aircraft that comes through Hurlburt Field."

Mr. Straight first became aware of the award when Col. Peter Robichaux, former 1st Special Operations Maintenance Group commander, called him to a group meeting June 18.

"It completely caught me by surprise," Mr. Straight said. "He asked me if I knew why I was called there, and I told him I didn't. Then he told me about the award, and all of the maintenance guys there said it was awesome. I was pretty impressed, too."

And even with the addition of the award to his resume, Mr. Straight said that the people and mission are truly why he chooses to remain at Hurlburt Field.

"I love the family unity with [Air Force Special Operations Command]," he said. "We get the parts made, inspected and out the door to get them to the guys on the front lines. It gives you a sense of pride to work here, and you feel like you're making a difference."

According to the Air Force Personnel Center website, AFA officials evaluated civilian applicants in the areas of achievement, development of techniques or procedures that significantly increased mission effectiveness and breadth of their impact. The winners will receive their awards at ceremonies later this year.