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Warrior of the Week: Tech. Sgt. Dante Quintiliani

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daniel Phelps
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Editor's note: The Warrior of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding Airmen on Shaw Air Force Base who have exemplified the core values.

The Warrior of the Week is Tech. Sgt. Dante Quintiliani, 20th Fighter Wing flight safety NCO.

In a move last winter to free up man-hours in the fighter squadrons, the flight safety NCOs stepped up and now perform many of the essential daily flight safety functions formerly done by safety- qualified pilots, said Capt. Timothy Chapman, 20th FW flight safety chief. As flight safety NCO, during the week of March 28 through April 4, 2011,

Sergeant Quintiliani performed "critical" safety-compliance spot inspections of airfield operations such as; launch and recovery, hot-pit refueling and maintenance.

Also, he removed waterfowl from the base as a part of the bird-aircraft strike hazard program, which contributes to the safety of F-16s and those who pilot them, continued the captain.

Sergeant Quintiliani is a crew chief from Worcester, Mass. who has been in the Air Force for over 12 years.

Family: Wife, Master Sgt. Damaris (Didi) Quintiliani, and two-year-old daughter, Mia Raine

Favorite part of job: "I enjoy the investigative part of safety: finding how and why things happen and figuring out how to fix them."

Hobbies: Sport shooting, working on cars and going to local car shows

Favorite quote: "No worries"

Favorite music: Heavy metal

Favorite movie: Boondock Saints

Hero/Mentor: "Senior Master Sgt. Dong Kim because of his leadership skills, knowledge and thought process. He's what I want to be as a Senior NCO."

Goals: "I'd love to make it to chief (master sergeant). I'd also like to have a Lincoln Cruiser or an old Cadillac."

If you could spend one hour with anyone, who would it be and why? "My father. He passed away when I was 12. I'd like to give him an update on my life."

Favorite food: Mexican

Biggest accomplishment: "Where I am now in life and the process that got me here. About 13 years ago, I had no idea what I wanted to or what I wanted to be."

If could only have three things while stuck on a desert island, what would they be? "Cold beer, my favorite music and a cell phone to call for help."