...of take your wife to work day

This was not really a designated day, I just enjoy knowing what Anton does at work. Therefore, I try to regularly visit him at work!

Monday, I shadowed Anton at work. It was very exciting because it’s the first time I’ve watched him at his new job. By trade he is an Aircraft Mechanic for the United States Air Force, a.k.a Crew Chief. At his first duty station, Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, I had the opportunity to watch him do some of the maintenance and launch the jets out. It was really cool.

In Japan, Misawa Air Base, Anton’s second duty station, he held various positions. Upon arrival as a Senior Airmen, he worked Transient Alert. He was no longer obligated to do maintenance, however, because he loves it so, my Airman would take every opportunity presented to do maintenance on some of the aircrafts that came through. It was pleasurable to watch him in action at this job as well. A while later, he moved to the Wheel & Tire section of the maintenance section. Here, Anton’s job required him to inspect and maintain the tires that were used for the F-16’s. Seeing some of the damage that had been caused by landing is indescribable!

Next, Anton worked as Training Manager for the maintenance flight. At this job, Anton maintained training records. He would have to send e-mails, make phone calls or sometimes even physically meet with other Airmen to inform them of any training they were lacking and to have their records initialed. At this job, we were able to have lunch together consistently and I could go sit in the office with him at anytime. Once again, it was nice seeing what Anton does as a member of the Air Force.

Then, there was the Program Manager position. In this realm, Staff Sergeant Norvell’s duties were pretty intricate because he did a number of things. However, he mainly focused on Training and Mobility, (ensuring that personnel was ready to deploy). Anton worked directly under a Master Sergeant during this time period.

After Program Managing, Anton then held the position of Dorm Manager. My hubby was now in an influential position for the younger Airmen. Of course this was not a part of his job description, however, he used each opportunity presented to him to benefit those who occupied a dorm room in the building that he was managing. He unreservedly shared the mistakes he made early in his career as a mentoring mechanism. Anton held room inspections, called in maintenance work, issued keys and made certain that every Airman who needed a room had one. He worked for a Chief as Dorm Manager.

Lastly, while in Japan, as a Technical Sergeant, Anton managed the Phase Flight in the maintenance group. Issuing tools, inspecting tools and ensuring that the tools were signed in & out properly to other Aircraft Mechanics is what the Air Force required of him here.

Currently, we are at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina where Technical Sergeant Anton Norvell first began with the duties of an Assistant Flight Chief. Anton was expected to write performance evaluations, letters of recommendation for awards and effectively handle personnel issues. After two months, he was afforded the pleasure of taking on the role of Flight Line Expediter where he manages the flight line crew. Anton is responsible for making sure that the crew has everything they need to successfully perform the necessary maintenance on jets. His job also requires him to ensure that all forms indicating the type of maintenance done on a jet is completed. Lastly, as a Flight Line Expediter, TSgt. Norvell is responsible for having the Crew Chiefs available when the Pilots arrive, ready to launch their jet.

Anton and my mother at the airport in Japan: