Engineers Week 2022: Meet Tech. Sgt. Lee Garner
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – It’s Engineers Week and we wanted to spotlight a few of our engineer teammates at AFIMSC.
Meet Tech. Sgt. Lee Garner with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Operations Directorate at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Garner is the Aircraft Arresting System Depot NCO in charge.
What is your engineering area of expertise?
I’m an industrial power production craftsman specializing in mechanical and electrical technology.
What are the main things you are working on now?
I am currently working toward completing all the Mobile Aircraft Arresting System (MAAS) overhauls for this fiscal year. These requirements support flying assets across five countries and four major commands.
What do you enjoy the most about being an Air Force CE?
I enjoy the many different challenges that being Air Force CE presents and the many different people that I get to meet. There is always something you need to troubleshoot or someone who needs help, and I enjoy being able to provide that help. Along the way I have met many different people and made some lasting friendships.
How do you contribute to the lethality and readiness of the Air Force?
My current position contributes to the lethality and readiness of the Air Force by providing arrestment capabilities for tailhook-equipped aircraft across the entire enterprise and our partner nations. We provide a variety of aircraft arresting systems to bases across the U.S. and U.S. Air Forces Central Command that prevent planes from crashing after an in-flight emergency has occurred. We also help to preserve the Air Force’s readiness level by providing MAAS and various AAS assets to war reserve materiel.
What has been your favorite, most successful or most rewarding project in your career with the Air Force so far and why?
My current project of fulfilling the MAAS requirements for the fiscal year has been the most rewarding to me during my career, as I get to see the fruits of my labor first hand. The MAAS program provides assets to units across the Air Force and they are in high-demand. By completing the overhauls of these systems, I get to see a piece of equipment go from obsolete to a serviceable asset that will help Airmen for at least 10 years.
What motivates and inspires you the most?
My wife and kids are a huge motivation in my life and inspire me to continue to strive to be my best self. I want to be able to provide them with the best quality life I can. Also, I take much pride in the work I do every day and ensuring others can see the quality and craftsmanship my team and I put into our work motivates me to continue to do my best.