Warrior of the Week: Claire Morseth

  • Published
  • By Airman Derek VanHorn
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The long, cold winters in North Dakota can take their toll on some people and potentially run them right out of the state. But for the majority of his life and for the last 40 years, Claire Morseth, 319th Logistics Readiness Squadron, wouldn't prefer to be any other place.

"I'm a definite four season kind of guy," said the Devils Lake native. "I don't mind winters here and have always called this state home."

Morseth is a heavy maintenance equipment mechanical supervisor at Grand Forks Air Force Base and with help from his crew, maintains and repairs more than 150 different types of vehicles, from fire trucks to flight line snow-brooms.

"I like to see a good product go out the door," said Morseth. "I can accredit much of that to a good work ethic."

It is a work ethic that Morseth said was established at a young age when he joined the Army in 1969 as a helicopter turbine engine mechanic. He served four years total, one in Phu Bai Hue, Vietnam, with the 101st Airborne Division.

Working on a variety of helicopters and heavy equipment was just the beginning of Morseth's fascination of operational and mechanical gadgets. He and his wife, Linda Morseth, 319th Force Support Squadron accounting supervisor, enjoy collecting what they refer to simply as 'toys'.

"We've got snow cats, a camper, a pontoon boat, jet-ski, golf carts, and Harleys to name a few," said Morseth. "As a matter of fact I just bought my wife a Harley low-rider, and that'll probably replace vacation for a few years."

Although there will be no vacation soon, Morseth and his wife enjoy taking opportunities to travel south of the border when they can.

"We've been to Aruba, Cozumel, Honduras, Belize, and Monzanillo," said Morseth. "I can live with warm, but I do what I can to avoid the humid areas."

Morseth works to ensure that the fun isn't just strictly on vacation.

"I like to keep all my guys in the shop happy," said Morseth. "This is my dream job, I'm happy with this one."

Morseth doesn't know how much longer he'll be working, as he is eligible for retirement in October 2012. As soon as that is made official he and his wife hope to turn into self-proclaimed snowbirds, traveling south for the winters and back home for summer.

Morseth is also an avid coin set collector and enjoys playing golf. Earlier this year he was recognized for serving 40 years of civil service by receiving a service pin from Col. Don Shaffer, 319th Air Refueling Wing commander, and a service coin from Gen. Raymond Johns, Air Mobility Command commander.