Age: 30
Years in Aviation: 9
TSgt Abraham Almonte is currently the C-135 instructor at Kadena AB, Japan, teaching all three spectrums of Boeing KC-135 organizational level maintenance (line, phase, and aero repair). He has taught over 1,350 hours of instructions to KC and RC-135 maintainers stationed on Okinawa.
“I've always loved aviation since I was a kid. I grew up as a missionary kid in Bolivia. My love for aviation later grew into what some would call an obsession. When the opportunity arose to become an aircraft mechanic for the U.S. Air Force I immediately jumped on it. I never wanted to do anything else; I just wanted to be around airplanes.”
Almonte has won the 18 Maintenance Group "High Flyer" Award nine times, the 2013 909 AMU Crew Chief of the Year award, and the 2014 Instructor of the Year award.
He credits SMSgt Nicolas Tonino as being his mentor.
Almonte joined the Air Force in late 2006. He started as a "crew chief" on KC-135 aircraft and has been doing that ever since. “I trained as an apprentice and later developed into a flying crew chief. My job was to accompany my assigned aircraft on whatever mission it had. I was responsible for ensuring it met its next mission. I repaired/maintained/serviced the aircraft and coordinated heavier repairs on the "road" if need be.”
He’s a member of Airlift/Tanker Association and the Air Force Association. He is the chapter president for the Air Force Association Chapter 502 in Okinawa, Japan.
Almonte gives back to the industry through the Air Force Association. He and his team host events and award scholarships to stimulate interest in the aviation field.
“My career goals are to develop into the best technician I can be. I am currently pursuing my B.A. in operations management. I would like to eventually own my own aircraft maintenance facility and create jobs for transitioning veterans. I would like to bring our quality Air Force maintenance practice to the civilian side and perhaps encourage more young people to serve their country in the aircraft maintenance career field.”
