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733rd TRS flight engineer wins 4th AF senior NCO of the year

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brittany Wich
  • 433rd Airlift Wing

Master Sgt. Jason Henry, 733rd Training Squadron flight engineer instructor, won senior NCO of the Year for 2020 at the 4th Air Force level, March 11. He is now competing at the Air Force Reserve Command level.

Henry has served in various roles during his 18 years of service in the Air Force.

Henry joined the active duty Air Force January 2003 as an avionics technician stationed at Indian Springs Axillary Airfield, now Creech Air Force Base, Nevada.  He was then assigned to Osan Air Base, Korea, and Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. He credits his parents, who were both in the U.S. Army, for his drive to join the military.

“It really teaches you good morals, values and a hard work ethic and I saw that in both of them,” said Henry. “Just looking around at other folks I noticed hadn’t been in the military, I didn’t see the same drive they had.”

Henry transitioned his military career to the Air Force Reserve in Nevada until switching to the Arizona Air National Guard as a sensor operator because of a civilian job transfer to Tucson, Arizona.

In Tucson, he met his wife, who is active duty in the Air Force. She was later assigned to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, where Henry joined the Reserve again and retrained as a flight engineer. He has been Active Guard and Reserve for nearly two years.

As a flight engineer instructor, Henry is not only responsible for his students, but inspecting the safety of the aircraft as well. As a liaison between maintenance and the pilot, flight engineers provide recommendations and advice so air crew can make well informed decisions.

“I would say being an instructor has its moments where you’re happy that a student shines,” said Henry.  “When they make it to the flying portion of training and knowing how far they’ve come, seeing how well they do and knowing that down the road that individual is going to be a great flight engineer.”

Lt. Col. Brandi King, 733rd TRS director of operations, worked with Henry in submitting an award package at the operations group level. After being chosen by the panel, his award package moved up to the wing level and to the 4th Air Force.

“I’m happy that I’ve been afforded the opportunities to actually achieve all those things,” said Henry. “Moving into the positions I moved into and having the leadership I’ve had, they’ve given me the ability and latitude to actually go out and make these decisions and accomplish these goals and tasks.”

He contributes his accomplishments to his leadership trusting in his abilities and providing him with opportunities. He said he joined the Rising 6 early on in his career. The goal of this program is to give Airmen resources and guidance on career growth and involvement.

“I was involved with the Rising 6,” said Henry. “I give them credit for a contributing factor to help me build upon where I am now.”