WILD WEASEL OF THE WEEK: AIRMAN 1ST CLASS SPENCER SMITH Each week a member of the 35th Fighter Wing is selected as the Wild Weasel of the Week. This individual is recognized based on superior performance, outstanding work ethic, and overall good conduct and discipline. The 35th Force Support Squadron chose Airman 1st Class Spencer Smith, installation personnel readiness journeyman as their Wild Weasel of the Week. What is your daily mission? Our primary and daily mission is personnel accountability which includes working with the Unit Deployment Managers of Misawa to assign personnel on deployments, processing and accounting for personnel deployed to Misawa, and accounting and monitoring the status of personnel and their families affected by a wide-spread catastrophic event via the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System. What do you enjoy about your job? The ability to learn something new every day. Why did you choose to serve in the Air Force? My family was a major influence on my decision to join the Air Force. I have family members that served in the Army and Air force and I just wanted to continue that tradition of serving. I understood the benefits and everything that comes along with service, but ultimately, I just want to make my family proud. What is your favorite thing about living in Japan? The cultural experience is my favorite thing about Japan. To be able to see so many different things and see how the Japanese treat one another is refreshing. Also, having the opportunity to learn a new language and interact with our host nation is rewarding. Who has been your best mentor and what have they taught you? I have learned so many things from so many mentors that it is hard to narrow it down to just one individual. I have learned from each mentor how to better adapt and equip myself for any situation that comes my way. How long have you been stationed at Misawa? 1.5 years How long have you been in the Air Force? Almost 2 years What goals do you want to meet while at Misawa? I want to finish my Community College of the Air Force degree, earn my Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts, and become fluent in Japanese. What goals do you want to meet during your Air Force career? I want to be able to soak up knowledge from my current supervisor and anyone else throughout my career. I also want to continue my educational progress in order to possibly gain a Commission in the Air Force. Supervisor's comments: "We are two deep in our office, but with that being said, Airman 1st Class Smith has to be self-sufficient and confident in what he does. I have to rely on him daily to be quick, knowledgeable, and efficient...which are all rare traits in such a junior Airman. He continues to surpass my expectations and rise to the constant challenges. A1C Smith is a true "sponge," he soaks up everything that is presented to him and he continues to grow. I see no limits to his success and would expect nothing less." Tech. Sgt. James Gipson, 35th FSS section chief of installation personnel readiness.