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Year of the Airman: A1C Theron Thomas

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  • By Maj. Neil Samson, 932nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
  • 932nd Airlift Wing

Year of the Airman: A1C Theron Thomas

932nd: What inspired, or who inspired you to join the Air Force?

Thomas: It was an impulsive decision/last resort since I wanted to take a break from college, but I also didn't want to go home.

932nd: What is your job title and a brief description?

Thomas: SARM specialist- Maintain currencies on pilot and flight attendants to make sure they're on top of currencies in order to fly.

932nd: What do you do in the 932 AW, 54 AS SARM shop?

Thomas: I prepare/create flight authorizations as well as review, input and audit flight authorizations once they mission is complete. 

932nd: How many people in your SARM shop are active duty and reservists (e.g. TR, ART, AGR)? How do you feel they integrate with you as an active duty Airman?

Thomas: There are two active duty members (including myself) and four reserve members. I feel like they give me an idea of what to expect if I ever wanted to switch over to the reserve side. As well as help me better understand the TFI, (total force integration) mission.

932nd: Does your job relate to your civilian life, job, hobbies, interests, school?

Thomas: I like to travel a lot, so seeing some of the places the aircrew gets to visit gives me ideas of potential places I could visit. Otherwise it doesn't really relate to me.

932nd: Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

Thomas:  I'm actually still trying to decide on what I want to do in the future. Most likely I'll still be in the Air Force. Hopefully as an officer. If not, I would probably try to become a realtor in the civilian world. 

Lt. Col. David Santarelli: The SARM's have multiple roles. Every flyer (flight docs, pilots, flight attendants, physiologists, flight nurses, med techs) has currency requirements. For instance, a pilot must have flown an instrument approach, a takeoff and a landing once a month or they have to be supervised by an instructor pilot.  When we fly, we mark down on a sheet what items we accomplished and turn the sheet into the SARM.  They then enter the data into the tracking system.  This system enables us to validate a "current and qualified" crew is flying.  For gee whiz purposes, I scrolled to the bottom of our spread sheet and saw there are 4667 currency items they track for the pilots, FAs and docs (this does not include the 932 AES, they have their own
system).  They also track flight hours, validate flight pay, produce flight authorizations, put together mission binders with all the required paperwork for the crew. Needless to say, the SARM shop is extremely important to verify that we are putting qualified crews in the aircraft.