CE 30 Under 30: SSgt Maverick Acuna [Image 15 of 22]

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES

09.19.2023

Courtesy Photo

Headquarters Air Force, Office of the Director of Civil Engineers

Squadron: 765th Air Base Squadron
Base: Lajes Field, Azores Islands
Nominated by: SMSgt Thomas Wyatt

SSgt Maverick Acuna has dedicated his first seven years of military service to mastering his craft and living the Air Force Core values. After completing his Career Development Courses four months ahead of schedule, Acuna continued to pursue his educational goals earning his Community College of the Air Force degree within two years of his enlistment date. At Cavalier Space Force Station, North Dakota, he jumped into action providing subject matter expertise to restore critical mobile power capabilities to sustain United States Strategic Command's $2B missile warning system. His knowledge and precise actions were vital in powering the North American hemisphere's Aerospace Defense mission. Acuna continued to hone his craft while deployed to an undisclosed location where he was critical to a barrier maintenance mission. His impact was quantified in 1200 combat sorties, ensuring successful in-flight emergency capabilities that captured three F-15 platforms with engaged aircraft arresting systems, safeguarding the lives of six pilots and aircraft worth $162M. After a promotion to Senior Airman, he volunteered for another downrange deployment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Again, he hit the ground running, powering a $2.4M joint logistics operations center, enabling over 200 multinational joint missions that directly provided C4 capabilities for the global war on terror. His efforts led to the capture of six high valued targets and a multitude of intelligence. After his first PCS to Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, he began excelling as a front-line supervisor. Acuna managed a team of nine Airmen in the overhaul of four BAK-12 aircraft arresting systems valued at $2M. Under his guidance, the team executed the task in an impressive eight-hour time frame. Acuna has continued to improve throughout each assignment. Most recently, while stationed at Lajes Field, he won an NCO of the Quarter award after successfully recovering a C-2 Navy aircraft worth $38.9M. This was a first-ever cargo aircraft engagement for USAFE. To bolster his relationship with the Portuguese civilian workforce, Acuna participated in an eight-week long Elementary Portuguese Language Class. He was able to earn three college credit hours and, more importantly, gain a better understanding of the language and culture to enhance the partnership with his coworkers and boost synergistic effects in the work-center. Acuna’s expertise, motivation, and attention to detail make him a top performing Airman Engineer.

• Date Taken: 09.19.2023
• Date Posted: 09.19.2023 19:35
• Photo ID: 8030954
• VIRIN: 230919-F-TE519-1119
• Resolution: 1067x1891
• Size: 721.68 KB
• Location: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US