Osan base training manager takes AF award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Rojek
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea --  The base training manager here was selected as the best in her career field for Pacific Air Forces and the Air Force.

Mrs. Ashley Jones was selected for the Air Force-level Dr. Edwin C. Peterson Junior Civilian Award Nov. 20. She had previously been selected for the Pacific Air Forces Air Force and Education Training Manager of the Year award.

"I was honestly shocked," said Mrs. Jones, who has worked for the 51st Mission Support Squadron's education flight for almost three years. "I'm still trying to process it."

When she first arrived at Osan with her husband in 2005, she didn't expect that a few years later she would be running an education program.

"When we got here, I wanted to work and there was an opening in the education office," said Mrs. Jones. "I worked in voluntary education for one and a half years, sometimes assisting the base education manager."

When the previous base training manager left Osan, Mrs. Jones was tapped to take over the position.

Although she had not planned on working in education, she wasn't just going to go through the motions until she and her husband permanently changed stationed.

"I didn't plan on doing this - the opportunity presented itself and I learned along the way," she said. "Even though I didn't have an end product in mind, I was taught to always give 110 percent in whatever I do."

Her immediate supervisor, Mr. Rupert Harmon, noticed her motivation and can-do attitude and nominated her for the award. Eventually, Mrs. Jones was selected as the best in PACAF and finally best in the Air Force.

Ms. Kathren Rodriguez, education flight chief, said she was not surprised Mrs. Jones was recognized as the best of the best.

"She is very, very helpful with the unit training managers throughout Osan, and people are complementing her (work) all the time," said Ms. Rodriguez.

As soon as she can find time to step away from the important job of keeping Osan's Airmen educated, Mrs. Jones' next task will be to find a place to put her award.

"My walls are bare, which gives me a good excuse to hang it up," she said. "Besides, it will always remind me that someone thinks I give 110 percent."