How he rolls: Broadcaster captures Travis' mission

Published Sept. 19, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Christopher Carranza
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Ever wonder who produces the videos for commander's call, the Travis Air Force Base mission or newcomers' video?

This daunting task rests upon a single NCO within the Public Affairs office. He uses his skills and knowledge to create these award-winning multimedia projects.

"My primary mission is to tell the Air Force story and convey command messages," said Staff Sgt. John Ayre, 60th Air Mobility Wing multimedia production section chief. "Travis, being the largest (Air Mobility Command) base brings a lot of additional opportunities to include video production and documentation for operations, multimedia projects and graphic design. Being attached to a public affairs office, I take on several PA related tasks as well."

Ayre began his Air Force career in munitions, prior to retraining into graphic design and subsequently merging into his current Air Force Specialty Code of broadcasting in 2007.

"The best thing about my job is that I have the opportunity to experience every job in the Air Force," Ayre said. "Not only that, but I get to see Airmen who do their job day in and day out and witness the differences they make. I tell their story so that everyone knows the lengths we're willing to go for our country."

In 2013, Ayre won three AMC media contest awards to include the Air Force Graphic Artist of the Year award. He has also produced and been a part of more than 100 video projects.

"Since I've been a broadcaster the most rewarding videos I've worked on were during my deployment to Iraq in 2008," he said. "I had the distinct opportunity to cover the first Iraqi aeromedical evacuation. I was also able to view and edit a lot of the hub footage from some of the predator and reaper unmanned aerial vehicles."

For those considering the broadcasting career field there is a process that must be completed. To start the process, visit a career advisor or recruiter to get the proper paperwork. During that process, Airmen will have to visit their local installation broadcaster to do a voice audition that will be submitted and analyzed at the Defense Information School. It demonstrates the ability to be voice trained and qualified.

Once approved, Airmen attend the Combat Correspondent course at DINFOS to learn everything from writing and voicing scripts, TV and radio announcing, video and radio fundamentals, lighting techniques and much more.

"I really enjoy the creativity broadcasting offers," Ayre said. "With so many career fields, you're limited by guidelines or technical orders. In broadcasting, I'm only limited by my own creativity."