MSgt. Timothy Mason, a command hydraulics-electrical and environmental functional manager at Air Education and Training Command Headquarters at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, is one of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2015. Mason’s exceptional work enabled headquarters support to 18 Total Force wings, 32,000 personnel, and more than 1,700 aircraft within the command. As a repair network integration core team member, his expertise guided the reorganization of A-10, F-15, and F-16 maintenance support, reducing 34 hydraulic repair centers down to nine. He also led a 13-member test team to validate the T-38 protection panel circuit card upgrade, replacing a 60-year-old design. Additionally, Mason devised an F-16 electrical systems training plan for the Iraqi air force. Dedicated to professional development, he completed a master’s degree in management and was selected as a Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy’s Advanced Leadership Experience. Air Force Magazine is shining the spotlight on each OAY in the days leading up to AFA’s Air & Space Conference, which starts Sept. 14 in National Harbor, Md. Also featured were: SrA. Allen Cherry, SrA. Meaghan Holley, SrA. Mason Meherg, SSgt. Kresston Davis, SSgt. Lindsey Fuentes, SSgt. Kurtis Harrison, SSgt. Travis Jordan, SSgt. Douglas Kechijian, TSgt. Tamara Acfalle, and MSgt. Joseph Bogdan.
As the Air Force readied for its June 21-22 strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the service was also putting its Agile Combat Employment strategy into action, dispersing combat aircraft and Airmen from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in preparation for a possible Iranian retaliatory attack. Some defense experts say…