Experiences of a lifetime, in two years

  • Published
  • By Airman Anthony Jennings
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Pulling 8.2 'Gs' at 850 miles per hour or playing cricket with orphans in Grenada are moments only a small percentage of people in America can say they have experienced. One senior airman was given the opportunity to experience these events and others like it in the span of only two years. 

Senior Airman Anthony Newman, 58th Aircraft Maintenance Unit aircraft armament specialist,is responsible for loading all F-15 armament, maintaining weapons systems, and anything that puts missiles on a target. 

He was recently named Air Combat Command Armament Technician of the Quarter and coined by a lieutenant general. However, it isn't his accomplishments that have made his three-year tenure with the Air Force memorable, it's the experiences. 

In the span of about two years, Airman Newman has been on nine temporary duty assignments. He traveled to Tyndall AFB, Fla. and Las Vegas twice, Canada, Southwest Asia, Grenada and Savannah, Ga. 

Every place he visited has been, in one way or another, an eye-opening experience for the senior airman. 

"Words can't describe how extravagant Dubai and Abu Dhabi in Southwest Asia was," said the Nevada native. "You can Google it or watch it on a documentary. But until you actually go there and experience it first-hand, you have no idea what it's like to be there." 

During a TDY to Grenada in March, where his wing set up base to provide military cover to the Summit of Americas, Airman Newman and his unit went to the northern tip of the island and spent time playing cricket with boys in an orphanage. 

"The boys taught us how to play cricket, then beat us silly," said Airman Newman. "When we were driving back, it really struck me that we cheered these kids up. We made their day and we wanted to do more. It was astonishing because despite the poor surroundings, everyone we met there had a smile on their face. I didn't meet one rude person on that entire island." 

In May, Airman Newman had the chance to hop aboard an F-15 while TDY in Savannah, Ga. 

"Now that was something else," he said. "We were doing something humans aren't designed to do. I have a lot more respect now that I've experienced what these pilots do first-hand." 

Though the travel and adventure has made joining the Air Force a memorable experience, it comes at a price. 

"All the stuff I've seen and places I've been is possible because we come out here on a daily basis, sometimes working 10 to 12 hour shifts in the Florida heat," he said. 

Visiting those far-off places also means being away from family and loved ones. Airman Newman's wife, Samantha, and one-year-old daughter, Madison, feel the stresses of partition as well. 

"They know I'm doing it to support the country. I still have to put on the uniform and go out there and get dirty." 

But he doesn't do it alone. 

"I've grown close with the people I work with because we spend almost as much time with each other as we do with our own family," said the 21-year-old. "But the common bond we all share is we are all away from our family, which makes it easier to cope with the separation." 

While he is half a world away, Airman Newman takes comfort knowing if his family needs anything, they will be taken care of. 

"My wife can go right up the chain here and get in contact with the first sergeant who has the resources to get her what they need," said Airman Newman, who plans to stay in the Air Force until he retires. 

Airman Newman joined the Air Force right out of high school after determining college wasn't for him. He said his decision to join the Air Force instead of any other military branch was largely influence by his grandfather, a retired master sergeant. 

"He once told me, 'if you are going to do anything with your life, join the Air Force,'" said Airman Newman. "He was the 'Old Air Force.'" 

Airman Newman now looks forward to moving to Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., since the 33rd Fighter Wing is drawing down. His family is excited about the permanent change of station because it will put them closer to home in Reno, Nev. 

Whether 'Old Air Force' or new, the fact remains that the life of an Airman can be one filled with experiences that will last a lifetime. 

"In the past three years I've been to three different countries and flown in an F-15 going more than 850 mph," said Airman Newman. "I've done things only a small percentage of people in America or the world experienced. So I ask [my friends], are you going to do something with your lives, or are you going to spend the rest of your life in Reno?"