TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – It’s Mission Monday. Master Sgt. Misty Guevara Zavala is the capability requirements manager in the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Emergency Management Division here.
Zavala and her team of capability developers represent and advocate for Air Force non-medical chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear, known as CBRN, passive defense requirements. They identify capabilities that Airmen and Guardians need based on current threats. Their work includes analytical and technical program management for over 18 programs that fall within the chemical/biological assessment, radiological/nuclear assessment, mitigate, protect and understand portfolios. It also includes monitoring the different CBRN detection and protection equipment as it goes through the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System development process and championing those identified capabilities to ensure our warfighters are properly protected.
Here's a little more about Zavala and her work for the Department of the Air Force.
Describe a project or event you and your team worked on recently that gave you a great sense of accomplishment:
As equipment that we’re monitoring goes through the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System process, sometimes capabilities aren’t able to be developed at the speed of relevance. This recently happened due to a piece of equipment that was developed over many years which no longer fit into our current mission set and threats. Because of this, my team was able to identify and voice that this piece of equipment was no longer needed. It was a big win for the Air Force as saved those funds so they could be realigned.
How does your work align with AFIMSC strategic priorities?
My team is integral to increasing lethality and readiness as we enable our DAF community to be properly outfitted with the best non-medical CBRN protection and detection equipment. In turn, this enables our warfighters to stay properly protected in a contested environment, enabling force survivability and mission continuation.
Is there anything else you’d like to add which might help people understand the importance of what you do for the DAF?
As Air Force non-medical CBRN passive defense capability developers, we represent all DAF warfighters. We are their voice. Because of this, it’s critical that my team and I continually advocating for needed capability requirements at all meetings, operational and test development events, and when reviewing relevant documents such as technical manuals. This analytical expertise ensures that we are preparing our warfighters for the future.