MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE -- Throughout the holiday season, many Airmen take advantage of time off to visit their family and friends.
For some Airmen in the 927th Air Refueling Wing, the week of Christmas allows them to enhance their skills and overall job knowledge.
“I wanted to come here during the week and learn more about my job,” said Senior Airmen William Lawson, 927th Logistics Readiness Squadron material manager. “When we take time out of our schedules to come here and learn, I think we not only help ourselves become more proficient, we help the Air Force.”
Lawson who also works as a Pinellas County, FL sheriff, enlisted in the Air Force back in 1983 and served on active duty for ten years, then took a 20 year break in service before answering the nations call once again in 2013.
Senior Airmen Thomas Perez, 927 LRS material manager, also took time from his civilian job as a Hillsborough County, Florida firefighter to serve during the week of Christmas.
“I enjoy coming here and working because no day is ever the same, much like my civilian job,” said Perez. “When we work during non- UTA weekends, we increase our abilities and increase the readiness of all other members of the Reserve.”
Service before self, is one of the Air Force’s core values that teaches Airmen to not place themselves before duty to their country.
“We love the fact that these Airmen came out here even though they have other obligations in their civilian lives,” said Senior Master Sgt. Carla Jeffcoat, 927 LRS superintendent. “It speaks to their character in many ways, and it shows their unselfish dedication to our Air Force.”