Photo By Tech. Sgt. Jessica Avallone | Mr. Simon Martin, 422nd Air Base Squadron logistics materials handler, poses for a...... read more read more
In the 501st Combat Support Wing, you can find Pathfinders with many different periods of service to their country. It might be ten years, or maybe three months, but one man’s service has lasted 71 years. Simon Martin first enlisted in 1951, served honorably for 23 years and decided to squeeze in another 48 years of dedicated service to the U.S. Air Force before his second retirement at RAF Croughton, England, Nov. 8, 2024.
“That's a hardworking man,” said Joshua Fay, 422nd Air Base Squadron (ABS) supervisory supply technician. “He's been my delivery driver since I've been here. Never misses a day of work, always eager to go out and make his deliveries.”
“I've always been happy coming to work,” said Simon Martin, 422nd ABS logistics materials handler. “When you have nice people you work with, you look forward every day to getting out of bed and coming to work.”
After his first retirement in 1976, the USAF hired Simon as a logistics materials handler at RAF Upper Heyford.
“When RAF Upper Heyford closed, his position moved to RAF Alconbury for a brief period and then to Joint Forces Command Chicksands,” said Master Sgt. Theron Hann, 422nd ABS senior enlisted leader. “When Chicksands closed, his position was then moved to RAF Croughton where he has continuously worked within the 422 ABS until present.”
“To be that dedicated and enjoy what you do for that long is really hard to put into words,” said Orlando Dozier, 422nd ABS flight chief. “I haven't come across anyone that's been that dedicated and with such a positive attitude the whole time, it’s really inspiring to me.”
After considerable flexibility over the years and the growing demand for multi-capable Airmen across the Air Force, Simon Martin’s tenacity and resilience is reinforced with a simple mantra, “work hard and stay busy.” The mileage he has banked over the decades making deliveries amounts to roughly the length of the Earth’s equator.
“The whole base will miss him,” said Dozier. “Mentioning his name automatically puts smiles on people's faces so he will be missed greatly.”
The Department of the Air Force is grateful for all our talented and hard-working Total Force Airmen, Guardians and civilians. Our people give their all every day. On behalf of the 501st Combat Support Wing and 422nd Air Base Squadron, we thank Simon for his decades of dedicated and exceptional service. We wish you the best of luck on your retirement!
| Date Taken: | 11.25.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 11.25.2024 07:00 |
| Story ID: | 486041 |
| Location: | RAF CROUGHTON, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, GB |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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