Joint Base Charleston, S.C. –
Senior Airman Sean Nappier is a member of the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and has been stationed at Joint Base Charleston for more than three years.
He is currently deployed to the Middle East where he is assigned to the 8th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
In his deployed unit, Airman Nappier's primary duties include direct responsibility for launching, recovering, servicing, inspecting and performing career field specific maintenance on assigned and transient C-17 aircraft. As an instrument flight control systems journeyman, his career field deals with primary flight control surfaces, such as elevator, rudder and aileron control and indication.
His duties also involve the maintenance and repair of controls and indications for flaps, slats, spoilers, fuel quantity indication, flight instruments, navigation systems, autopilot and throttle control.
"My mission is to provide a mission capable aircraft to the operations group that is prepped for its designated mission," Airman Nappier said. "The impact is accomplishing [air delivery] missions, distinguished visitor support, dignified and prisoner transfer and an endless supply of vehicle, passenger and troop movements."
While at Joint Base Charleston, Airman Nappier is assigned to the 437 AMXS in much the same role, he said.
"The role is similar except with about three times as many people. When deployed you really have to step up and know your stuff since there are not as many people you can really turn to for help," he said. "Maintenance is the same Air Force-wide ... I've worked C5s and C130s as well. Other than the aircraft systems being different from airframe to airframe, it's pretty much the same across the board about how it gets done. I was deployed to [the Middle East] before, so I knew how the 8 EAMS operates and was able to hit the ground running."
Airman Nappier knows the value of giving back in more ways than just his Air Force specialty. He said he always donates what he can each year to the Combined Federal Campaign and to the Air Force Assistance Fund as well.
"I have actually seen it help people I personally know more than once," he said.
He also enjoys various sporting activities in his free time.
"Back at Charleston, I really enjoy playing beach volleyball and swimming as well as organizing barbeques with other people in the squadron," he said.
This "warrior of the week" hails from Fairborn, Ohio, but lived in many exotic locations during his childhood, including the Philippines and Spain.
He joined the Air Force 10 years ago and said his goals are to make the rank of staff sergeant and push forward with his career, utilizing lessons learned to educate others.
According to Airman Nappier, his favorite aspect of his career is the good feeling after fixing a plane.
"It's not even just that," he said. "It's knowing you were responsible for getting that plane where it needed to be ... that will make you smile. In the C-130 world, it's summarized with the phrase 'putting iron in the air.' It's definitely an accomplishment even if it is performed on a daily basis.
"My greatest contribution is working the flightline and getting a new batch of Airmen trained up. It ties in with getting maintainers [arriving] from other aircraft up to speed on C-17-unique systems, as I had to make the same transition and can relate a little more," he added.
According to Airman Nappier's supervisor, Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Vega, instrument flight control systems craftsman with the 8 EAMS, a technician as proficient as Airman Nappier is a valued asset in an expeditionary environment.
"Airman Nappier is a consummate professional who possesses a wealth of knowledge and is considered one of our best subject matter experts," he said. "He is a selfless technician who steps in whenever he can, offering training to those willing to learn. The work he does is vital to the mission in the area of responsibility and to the Air Force as a whole."