TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --
The 325th Fighter Wing commander learned how to perform the duties of a 325th Medical Group Airman May 9 at the base medical center.
Col. David E. Graff, 325th FW commander, met Airman 1st Class James Hunt, 325th Aerospace Medicine Squadron bioenvironmental engineering technician, as part of the Airman Shadow Program.
"I was extremely grateful to be picked for such an amazing opportunity," Hunt said. "Having the opportunity to show Colonel Graff how bioenvironmental engineering personnel affect the fighter wing mission and Airmen, means a lot to me and everyone in my shop."
Staff Sgt. Vianca Peters, 325th AMDS bioenvironmental engineering craftsmen and supervisor, recommended Hunt to be shadowed by the commander.
"He was my first choice," Peters said. "He is a dynamic, hard-working individual who exemplifies the Air Force core value of service before self and is a staple in the BEE career field."
Outside of work, Hunt completed more than 100 volunteer hours. He demonstrates proficiency in the use of specialized survey equipment to collect samples and evaluate hazards that may exist in the workplace.
"Bioenvironmental engineering assesses the hazards that are present and recommends controls," Hunt said. "The most important part of our job is readiness and occupational health is the majority of what keeps us busy from a day-to-day basis. We test soil to ensure that nothing being built will be constructed on hazardous ground."
Hunt expressed his thoughts on the commander.
"I think the commander saw how our role, as bioenvironmental engineers, helps eliminate health risks to personnel on base," Hunt said. "Even though my career field does not make a lot of sense to many people, at the end of the day, whether there is a radiation, chemical or biological exposure, we are the ones to step in the hot zone to save lives and mitigate any hazards."
The shadow program presents many opportunities, said Hunt.
"I'm sure the commander has a lot to do, but he still makes time to come visit a single shop for a day just to experience work from a different perspective," he added. "Not only does it help leadership understand exactly what Airmen do, it also gives us an opportunity to understand what the commander expects from us on a much more detailed level."
When it was all finished, Hunt believe he gave Graff a better understanding of what his shop does.
"I think Col. Graff really enjoyed the time he was able to spend with us," Hunt said. "He was able to visit one of the more hazardous shops on base and see how we do air sampling for carcinogens.
"I think he has a better understanding of where the numbers come from when base hazards and risks are briefed to him," he added. "Communicating hazards to leadership and making recommendations for controls is a necessary part of our job. Now that he has seen what we do from start to finish, it will be easier for him to see what steps we take to ensure each shop hazard is identified, quantified and the appropriate control is recommended."