Warrior of the Week: Airman 1st Class Johnathan McClain

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Derek VanHorn
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  

Name and rank: Airman 1st Class Johnathan McClain

Unit: 69th Maintenance Squadron

Duty title: Crew chief; aircraft maintenance technician

Time in service: 10 Months

Time at Grand Forks: 6 Months

Hometown: Wendell, Idaho

Why is serving in the Air Force important to you?
Serving in the Air Force is important to me because it lets me help others, even if it's with an oversized remote controlled plane. Being here also gives me a feeling of accomplishment while maintaining the aircraft.

What moment or accomplishment as a Warrior of the North are you most proud of and why?
My proudest moments here were being involved in the first Global Hawk flight out of Grand Forks Air Force Base and also aiding with the maintenance and departure of the battlefield airborne communications node aircraft from Beale Air Force Base to Grand Forks Air Force Base, then to bases overseas.

What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job has to be taking the jet apart and figuring out just how deep the complexity of its structure and systems go. As new as it is, the technical training school for Global Hawk maintainers didn't exist; it was only an 18-day common knowledge course. Now six months down the road I have learned a lot, although there is still so much more to learn.

Who inspires you and why?
A lot of my inspiration comes from my family and friends back home. They have always pushed me further and further, constantly motivating me to do better in many different ways.

What's the first thing that made you think Grand Forks Air Force Base was a cool place other than the temperature or weather?
I first found it interesting at how similar Grand Forks Air Force Base was to home -- quiet, small and open. After arriving, the people I've met here have made it pretty amazing as well.