Warrior of the Week: Airman 1st Class Jon Stansbury

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Derek VanHorn
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Aptly nicknamed "Jukebox" around his shop, Airman 1st Class Jon Stansbury, 319th Civil Engineering Squadron, is well known to break into song at any moment.

"I love all kinds of music, especially country," he said. "My favorite artists are Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and the Dave Matthews Band."

The tranquil Airman was the lead vocalist of two separate bands growing up - "Southern Limits" and "Contraband" - and hopes to someday step back into the spotlight before it is too late.

"A longtime dream and goal of mine is to be involved in a career of music somehow," said Airman Stansbury. "I plan on trying out for American Idol in the near future and see what happens from there."

In the meantime, the heavy equipment operator and his crew - better know here as "Dirt Boyz" because of their hands-on approach to moving around dirt -- put their efforts into what Stansbury called "maintaining the base."

"We repair roads, dig up plumbing lines and sweep and plow the roads and flight line," he said. "Our job is to basically do anything we are asked to do. Our career field often expands as needed."

The ability to adapt to adverse situations is critical both on the job and around the shop.

"Dirt Boyz are tough skinned; we give each other a hard time all the time," said the talented "Madden 12"® gamer. "At the end of the day, we all get along well and look out for each other."

The Starkville, Miss. native also looks out for his hometown Mississippi State Bulldogs, supporting them both in the classroom and on the gridiron.

"After my enlistment is up I plan to use my GI bill to attend MSU and pursue a degree in Agriculture Science," Airman Stansbury said. "I love my Bulldogs, especially the football team."

His passion for sports doesn't end there. After recently gaining interest in soccer, he now supports London-based Arsenal Football Club; and in football of a more familiar variety, the National Football League's Seattle Seahawks.

While sports and music fill a void in the friendly Airman's life, people will always trump hobbies ... for the most part.

"I would do anything for my family and friends," said Airman Stansbury. "I would also probably do anything for my Chocolate Lab back home - Buddy."