AGE Flight Training Monitor exemplifies Service before Self

  • Published
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Senior Airman Christopher Nicolay,  48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Aerospace Ground Equipment Flight Training Monitor, was nominated for the Liberty spotlight by his chain of command because he practices the Air Force core value of "Service before Self".

Commander: Maj. Darrin "DB" Dronoff

Time in Service: 2 years 10 months 

Time at Lakenheath: 2 years 3 months

Hometown: Fredericksburg, VA

Hobbies: Movies, Travelling, Snowboarding.

Core Value portrayed:

Senior Airman Nicolay embodies the Air Force core value "Service before Self." As the AGE Flight's Training Monitor he has spent countless hours ensuring over 80 personnel are trained and ready to the deploy at a moment notice. His efforts were proven with two flawless AEF deployments and a number of wing TDYs. Also, Airman Nicolay recently play a keep role in the Wing's largest Bone Marrow Registry Drive; registering over 90% of his flight and panned out across the wing and registering 100s more. His dedication in accomplishing the mission is consistent with Service Before Self.

Why is serving important to you? 

Serving in the Air Force is important to me because I take great pride in knowing that everything I do contributes to the mission. Whether it is ensuring that my flight and my squadron are fit to fight or it is ensuring that my flight is fully trained and qualified to deploy, I know that I am making a difference. 

What are your personal and career goals? 

The accomplishment that I am most proud of is my participation in our recent DOD Bone Marrow Drive for the 48 FW. I worked alongside MSgt Felan and MSgt McCollister in coordinating the program for the RAF Lakenheath Family. Our hard work and dedication was reflected in the willingness of Lakenheath Airmen to register. During the drive we were able to accumulate 2,262 donor registrations which can possibly save seven lives around the world. I am also proud that I met my wife Tanya during my tenure here on Lakenheath. I would have never had the opportunity of meeting her if it wasn't for the Air Force.