Warrior of the Week: Shawn Leach

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bonnie Grantham
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Unit: 319th Civil Engineer Squadron

Duty title: Emergency Management Specialist

Time in service: 23 years active duty (retired master sergeant)/5 months Department of Defense Civilian

Time on station: 5 Months

Hometown: Arcadia, Nebraska

1. Why is serving in the Air Force important to you?
I love my country, and I love being an American and being able to honor those veterans who came before me, those I served with and those who are serving now.


2. What moment or accomplishment as a Warrior of the North are you most proud of and why?
The accomplishment I am most proud of is finding out that my EM team was selected to compete at the Air Force-level for recognition from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for our contributions to the National Preparedness Month campaign. The EM office really stepped up during the month of September to ensure that GFAFB and the surrounding communities received emergency preparedness information.

3. What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is communicating with people. As an Emergency Manager one of my jobs is to plan for hazards (natural disasters, major accidents, etc.). Part of that planning process requires educating our Airmen and their families on GFAFB and the local population in the surrounding communities on the best way to plan for and protect themselves when a disaster strikes.

4. Who inspires you and why?
The number one person in my life who inspires me is my wife Michelle. She is my biggest fan and loudest cheering section. She is a dedicated wife and mother who performs even the simplest of tasks with pride and passion. She challenges me every day to be not only a better Airman and Emergency Manager, but a better man.

5. What's the first thing that made you think Grand Forks AFB is a cool place other than the temperature or weather?
When I first arrived at GFAFB I was immediately taken with the sense of community. My family and I were greeted with open arms by every agency we dealt with in our first few days on installation. It felt like home.