Airman of the Week: Tech. Sgt. Victor H. Santillan

  • Published
  • By 436th Airlift Wing
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  
Name/rank: Tech. Sgt. Victor H. Santillan

Squadron: 436th Airlift Wing Chaplain Office

Job description: NCO in charge of chapel operations

Previous assignments: Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.

Dream assignment and why? Anywhere in the world, just as long as I'm with my family.

Family: My wife, Lisa (high school sweetheart) and two sons, Michael and Gabriel.

Favorite movie: "Braveheart"

Favorite food: Argentinean food

Favorite book: "The Purpose Driven Life," by Rick Warren

Who inspires you? My Lord, my God and my family.

Have you been deployed? What is your best story? Baghdad International Airport, Camp Sather, Afghanistan: it was a real combat zone with real danger and a bunch of great people to work with and for. As a member of the religious-support team, I was setting up in the December evening to light the Christmas tree and the Menorah lights in the camp. That was the day the Army discovered and captured Saddam Hussein. The feeling in the air was of total elation, although we had to wear body armor in case of celebratory gun fire from the Iraqis.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I see myself retired from the Air Force, running a business with my wife, and devoting more time to my family.

Tech. Sgt. Victor H. Santillan has proven time and time again to be one of our most valuable chapel team members. His outstanding attention to detail and work ethic allowed him to flawlessly track and manage $119,000 worth of resources and equipment in three different facilities. Santillan was a key contributor for the Dover Air Force Base, Del., Chapel winning the 2011 Air Mobility Command Medium Chapel Organization of the Year award. He was also one of six individuals to be "coined" by the Inspector General during Dover AFB's Operational Readiness Inspection in December 2011. His work greatly impacts the base, allowing for thousands to practice their freedom of religion on a weekly basis. In completing two CCAF degrees in two different career fields, he serves as an example of excellence and true professionalism. Santillan models servant leadership and he is a great asset the United States Air Force Chaplain Corps.
- Master Sgt. Robert Kovacs
Chapel operations superintendant