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An Airman's commitment to selfless service

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tabatha Zarrella
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The U.S. Air Force core values are the foundation for how Airmen live their lives, committing themselves to integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ann Collantes, 802nd Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron air advisor, assigned to Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan, symbolizes what an Airman should be while carrying out his or her duties, whether it is stateside or supporting the mission downrange.

"Ann arrived here thinking she was going to be advising Afghan Airmen in the non-destructive inspection [career field] but, here at Shindand, we don't have an NDI shop," began Senior Master Sgt. Jonathan Wilkins, 802nd AEAS maintenance group advisor. "We immediately recognized her leadership potential and placed her in charge of the advising effort for an entire maintenance squadron."

Collantes' daily operations varied from NCO in charge NDI, writing evaluation performance reports and supervising her Airmen at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, to operating in a high-threat area, advising and training approximately 60 Afghans on the different methods of inspection and NDI tasks in Shindand.

"My job as advisor on the floor is to ensure the work is completed in a timely manner, assist them with completing the tasks, and make sure items are documented and turned in properly," Collantes said.

She's carrying out a 365 deployment with a daily operations tempo of about 12 hours a day, six days a week.

"I'm the only female, [the Afghans] aren't used to that," began Collantes. "Sometimes I don't receive the same respect as I do with others, but I've gained my creditability in the squadron."

Aside from contributing to work efforts, Collantes participates in a professional organization that enhances personal development and core values.

"I was the vice president for Shindand's Rising 6; assisted in organizing volleyball tournaments, raised funds for the Fisher House Foundation, morale activities, fundraisers and etc.," she said. "I've also helped with the coalition forces going away for the Salvadorians, base clean-ups, and participated in base sports events."

Among her contributions around the base, Collantes also completed a six-week professional development course, senior enlisted professional military education course, and is currently taking online classes towards her bachelor's degree.

"Right now I'm on rest and recuperation leave," she began. "I'm enjoying this time with my husband and children before I have to go back."

Recently, she had the opportunity to forward deploy to support the Afghan Combat Garrison Support Unit as they delivered ballots for Afghanistan's 2014 National Election.

"We appreciate her flexibility, innovation and creativity, we are proud to serve alongside her," Wilkins said.

Our brothers-in-arms frequently make sacrifices in support of the mission.

"Though we can never let our guard down with the high threat levels out here," Collantes began. "It's really rewarding what our mission is! We're helping to build their [Afghan's] air force; we're a part of history."