Warrior of the Week: 2nd Lt. Ashley Newberry

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zachiah Roberson
  • 319 ABW/PA
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  

Rank and Name: 2nd Lt. Ashley Newberry

Unit: 10th Space Warning Squadron

Duty title: Chief of Operations Training

Time in service:  1 year, 6 months

Time on station: 1 year, 3 months

Hometown: Temple, Texas

Why is serving in the Air Force important to you?
Serving in the Air Force is important to me because the many freedoms the United States provides allow my family to live the "American Dream" that no other country offers. My brothers and I are first generation Americans and we are unbelievably lucky to have grown up with the opportunities we had. I believe it is important to serve in order to give back to this great nation.

What moment or accomplishment as a Warrior of the North are you most proud of and why?
Seeing my Mission Qualification Training students pass their initial evaluation is at the top of my list for my proudest moments. The training shop does so much work and pours so much energy into the students. It's a great feeling when we get to see them succeed.  

What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is teaching brand new students. It's fun to see the light bulb moments and watch them perform what they've been taught.

How do you apply the wing commander's principles of 'passion, proficiency and professionalism'?
These principles must be used 100% of the time in our training shop. Without a passion for the job, trainers would be boring and ineffective. Without proficiency, we would never have enough time in one day to complete our tasks and teach successfully.  Without professionalism, we would lose respect from our crew members, training would become ineffective and the mission would be in jeopardy. We utilize these principles on a daily basis as we teach, mentor and train our students.

Who or what inspires you and why?
My mom inspires me because of the many struggles she has overcome. She was born into a world of many disadvantages, but has risen above and beyond them and become a huge success. Not only has she turned her circumstances and my family's circumstances around, but she continually helps others with their problems and their life issues. She's extremely humble and loving and is definitely my biggest inspiration.

What's the first thing that made you think Cavalier AFS was a cool place other than the temperature or weather?
The Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS) radar and its capabilities are absolutely amazing and mind blowing. Aside from the really cool fact that I get to work in a 1.6 billion dollar radar, Cavalier AFS is a "cool" place because of the unique opportunities our Services representative (Scott Holmquist) obtains for us. In the short time I've been here, I've zip-lined, gone curling and gone skiing.