Airman of the month: Dedicated worker

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jared Duhon
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  A young Airman from the state of New York strives to one day make chief master sergeant and in the process is credited by others as being proficient and an indispensable Airman at Dover Air Force Base.

Airman Maura Tunney, 436th Airlift Wing emergency action controller, is being recognized as Team Dover's Airman of the Month.

"It's exciting and kind of cool I am getting acknowledged for the work I am doing," said Tunney. "I really wasn't expecting it."

Tunney, who has been at Dover AFB since March, has taken the lead on running the Status of Resources and Training System. This system is maintained by the command post and tracks training readiness and deployment information for the entire base. Tunney's hard work has been vital to the program's continued success.

"Airman Tunney has been doing great things since she got here," said Master Sgt. Andre Scott, 436th Airlift Wing command post NCO in charge of command post operations. "She only arrived a few months ago, but hit the ground running, putting her skills to use on our sorts program. She is one of the few true cp controllers. Most of us have retrained, so she is proficient and more experienced than us."

Joining the Air Force was Tunney's way to give back to so many who were lost during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. Those attacks struck a chord with her to help even though she was only 11 years old.

"My aunt died during the Sept. 11 attacks," said Tunney. "I wanted to give back to help out in some way, but being so young during the attack I was unable. In 2009, I join the Air Force as a way to help out, just as the firefighters, police officers and so many more were able to contribute."

Tunney, who gives her all on the job, also has fun while she is off duty.

"I really enjoy music" said Tunney. "I am even learning to play the guitar slowly. I really enjoy my Kawasaki ninja. I have been riding all over Delaware since I got it."


A strong enlisted leadership core is something Tunney believes in. Tunney said her ultimate career goal is to make chief master sergeant, because she feels too many great Airmen are being pushed to become officers. This leaves a leadership gap that many of the younger Airmen do not need.

"Senior NCOs help the junior enlisted Airmen by being relatable and someone for them to look up to," said Tunney. "I have made mistakes in my past, but those mistakes will allow me to help guide the future Airmen I will supervise and mentor."