36th MUNS Airman is the bomb

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shane Dunaway
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Working in maintenance career fields can be very strenuous, with grueling 12-hour shifts and a lofty operations tempo often leaving Airmen too winded to pursue off-duty self-improvement activities.

But Airman 1st Class Megan Minturn, 36th Munitions Squadron conventional maintenance and precision-guided missile crew member, is making an explosive impact through her on-duty performance, educational efforts and her penchant for volunteering, meriting her selection by Senior Master Sgt. John Perkins, 36th Maintenance Group first sergeant, as Team Andersen's 'Top Performer.'

Some of Airman Minturn's day-to-day duties include assembling, testing and repairing assigned munitions for the U.S. Air Force's largest air-to-ground munitions stockpile, assets totaling more than $1 billion. She also guards entry control points and provides munitions storage area escort for visitors requiring an escort.

"She is very enthusiastic about her job, being a member of Team Andersen and the MUNS family," said Tech. Sgt. Jerrad Oakes, 36th MUNS NCO-in-charge of precision guidance munitions. "A self starter, she charges head on into each task assigned to her with little to no supervision, with technical accuracy, and always does it with a smile. She has a very contagious personality that makes the work environment fun and entertaining. Her professionalism is beyond reproach and she instills it into her peers and coworkers."

Despite her extensive workload, Airman Minturn finds time to pursue her bachelor's degree in criminal justice, acquiring more than 110 credit hours toward the cause. Airman Minturn has also volunteered more than 200 hours to various volunteer outlets, including Habitat for Humanity, the 36th MUNS booster club and her one-year contract with the base honor guard.

"Because of her selfless dedication, ambition and integrity, she epitomizes our core values," Sergeant Oakes said. "[She is] a model airman for all to emulate."

Airman Minturn's well-balanced lifestyle both on and off duty have not gone unnoticed as she was recently selected for a Below-the-Zone promotion at the wing level, further erasing any doubt she is worthy of 'Top Performer' recognition.

"It feels amazing to know that people realize that I am making a difference when I come to work and notice [the] hard work," Airman Minturn said. "It makes it all worth it at the end of the day."