SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – An Airman from California showed his mastery of aerospace ground equipment when he graduated from the 361st Training Squadron’s course Nov. 27, 2019.
Airman Ryan D. Elmer, from Santa Rosa, California, achieved perfect scores in the aerospace ground equipment apprentice course during the 15 blocks of instruction that spanned 87 training days. Elmer and his classmates learned how to maintain and repair equipment that supplies electricity, hydraulics and air pressure to Air Force aircraft.
Rank/Name: Airman Ryan D. Elmer
Unit: 35th Maintenance Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan
Duty title: Aerospace ground equipment apprentice
Hometown: Santa Rosa, California
Time in Service: 6 months
Why you joined the Air Force: Change to travel with family and Veterans Administration assistance buying a house.
Family: Kimberly, wife; Athena, daughter; Ron and Lynn, parents
Hobbies: Home brewing and shooting pool
Favorite aspect of job: Solving problems and working with my hands
Most memorable Air Force experience: Graduating from basic military training with my family there.
How do you make responsible decisions: Remember everything I do is for my family.
Instructor comments:
“Airman Elmer’s character and level of performance in the classroom and during hands-on objectives far exceeded my already high standards that I expect from our young Airmen,” said Thomas Spitzer, 361st TRS AGE instructor. “I spent five blocks of instruction with him and he exuded positivity and professionalism at all times, as evidenced by his total devotion to ace 361st TRS’ longest apprentice course. He also selflessly helped his classmates study during their off-duty time. Airman Elmer is the type of Airman we need in today’s Air Force and I believe he’ll be the go-to Airman once his upgrade training is done at Misawa, one that can get the job done correctly with little to no supervision.”