Warrior of the Week: Staff Sgt. Christopher Gomez Published Nov. 20, 2006 By Public Affairs Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Staff Sgt. Christopher Gomez, 71st Flying Training Wing command post emergency actions controller, was submitted as the Warrior of the Week because he "is a highly motivated and dependable team player with a diversity of talents and an exceptional 'can-do' attitude," according to Master Sgt. Robert English, command and control superintendent. "He puts in the extra effort in his duties here," said Sergeant English. "He always gives 100 percent to every task and gets the job done no matter the circumstances." A Hollywood, Fla., native, Sergeant Gomez arrived at Vance Air Force Base seven months ago from Eielson AFB, Alaska, his first permanent duty assignment. "Alaska was quite a change from Florida weather, but the assignment to Eielson allowed me to get started fulfilling the goal that brought me into the Air Force -- becoming a pilot," he said. The 23-year old bachelor enrolled in the University of Alaska-Fairbanks to earn credits toward a Community College of the Air Force degree and eventually a bachelor's in business. He also began flying lessons at the Eielson Aero Club, has completed his solo pilot check ride and is less than 15 hours away from his private pilot's license. Sergeant Gomez's off-duty studies were interrupted twice by deployments from Alaska. "From November 2003 to March 2004, I performed my standard command post duties as a controller at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait. My responsibilities there also included tracking numerous C-130 combat missions into Iraq. "I deployed again from June to December 2005 to Manila, Philippines, where as an E-4 filling an E-7 position, I maintained tactical control of a C-12 aircraft. I was responsible for moving personnel and equipment assigned to the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines via the C-12," Sergeant Gomez said. "His performance during that deployment is just one example of how Sergeant Gomez has shown he's ready for increased responsibilities," Sergeant English said. "He made staff sergeant on his first attempt, was selected 71st FTW Airman of the Month for July and last week was a distinguished graduate of Airman Leadership School at Altus AFB, Okla." It's not surprising that Sergeant Gomez, an Eagle Scout, lists outdoor activities among his off-duty interests. He doesn't limit his flying interests to piloting, as he also enjoys skydiving and traveling. Future plans for the first-term Airman are completing his CCAF degree and pilot's license. When his first enlistment is up in January, he would like to retrain into the technical applications career field.