48th CMS helps Airmen meet education goals

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Erin Mills
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  "Knowledge is power."

Airmen of the 48th Component Maintenance Squadron took the words of Sir Francis Bacon to heart when they started a new education initiative at RAF Lakenheath called "The Avionics University."

"The Air Force is increasing its emphasis on education, both on duty and off, so I proposed the idea that many members of the avionics flight could benefit from on-site classes," said Tech. Sgt. Steven Vatsaas, 48th Component Maintenance Squadron avionics flight administrator. "We named the program 'The Avionics University' because we not only focus on the Community College of the Air Force, but also on career development course progression, on-the-job training, continuing education and more."

Vatsaas said that members of the avionics career fields were graduating from technical training school and arriving at their next base with more than 20 credit hours needed to complete their CCAF.

"Some of the classes they needed to complete fall into written communication, speech, math, social science, humanities and management," he said.

Vatsaas worked with the University of Maryland University College to get the program started at the Hardened Avionics Facility. Math 103 was offered as the first class due to a large number of Airmen in the avionics flight requiring it for their CCAF.

"This class is great for my career since it is one of two courses I need for my CCAF and will also count towards a bachelor's degree," said Senior Airman Patrick O'Neil, 48th CMS avionics intermediate section team member.

Class runs from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, giving Airmen the opportunity to attend without leaving their work area.

"Today's Airmen are busier than ever and tasked to a much higher degree than those in the past," said Senior Master Sgt. Zachary Capogna, 48th CMS avionics flight chief. "I feel we owe it to our Airmen to provide education opportunities that allow them to meet their goals while minimizing time away from the duty section. Having classes on-site does exactly this."

Due to the enthusiasm for the program expressed by the students, the unit has already requested two more classes through UMUC.

"Our Air Force is the world's finest and is built on a foundation of enlisted Airmen," said Capogna. "Educated enlisted Airmen set us apart from the world and will be the key component that carries the Air Force into the future."