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Through Airmen's Eyes: The jumpsuit gun wielder

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brandon Shapiro
  • 6 Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  For Airman 1st Class Eric Martinez from the 6th Maintenance Squadron, a pearl white jumpsuit, a futuristic facemask and a high pressure chrome finished gun--are all perks of the job.

Martinez is an aircraft structural maintenance technician whose most recent tasking was to throw a fresh coat of anti-corrosion paint onto a set of KC-135 wheels.

"I love the fact that my work directly affects our mission readiness", said Martinez. "It's awesome knowing that the parts I fix are a piece of a multi-million dollar set of machinery."

Martinez, a San Antonio native, has only been in the Air Force for a little over one year, but growing up, he knew this was exactly what he wanted to do.

"I've always been interested in mechanics--fixing things is what I like to do," exclaimed Martinez. "From the moment that my recruiter showed me the aircraft structural maintenance job listing--I knew it was for me."

As Martinez continues his passion for maintenance, he continues to stay goal-oriented.

"Because the Air Force has given me this gracious opportunity, I am going to do all I can to be a model Airman and leader," said Martinez. "I am going to take advantage of all the opportunities given to me, so I can become as knowledgeable as possible."