Structural Maintenance NCO demonstrates 'Service Before Self' Published Feb. 25, 2011 ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Name and Rank: Tech. Sgt. Catherine VanHyning Unit: 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Duty Title: Aircraft Structural Maintenance Support Section NCO in charge Time in Service: 8 years, 10 months Time at RAF Lakenheath: 1 year, 2 months Hometown: Castleton, Vt. Hobbies: Photography and traveling Core Value Portrayed: Service Before Self How does the individual portray that core value? Sergeant VanHyning volunteered to lead the structural maintenance team to Turkey in support of Operation Anatolian Eagle in 2010. She led her team to complete more than 200 airframe repairs, enabling 99 unrestricted training sorties. Her flawless execution of the remote maintenance team was instrumental to maintaining an 85-percent mission capable rate; as a result Sergeant Vanhyning was awarded "Outstanding Performer". Why is serving in the Air Force important to you? I am proud to be part of an organization that is dedicated to the protection of our nation's freedoms and the security of her people. What accomplishment during your Air Force career are you most proud of? To date, achieving the rank of technical sergeant. What are your personal and/or professional goals? To complete my bachelor's degree in accounting and achieve the rank of chief master sergeant one day. What is your favorite part of your job? My favorite part is the challenges and opportunities that present themselves daily. People are often given great opportunities, they just need to recognize and accept them.