Pride of the Pack: Staff Sgt. Thomas Skinkle

  • Published
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  
Unit: 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Duties: NCO in charge of video

Hometown: Valdosta, Ga.

Hobbies: Reading, games, or anything competitive

Favorite music: Alternative rock/ heavy metal

Follow on: Manheim, Germany

Last good movie you saw: The Walking Dead (TV series)

Best thing you've done here: My work hands down; I've felt a great sense of accomplishment with my large projects since arriving here at Kunsan. To execute what I have, with the training I have, I am amazed by what was achieved.

Reason for nomination: "Sergeant Skinkle has put forth amazing effort to help prepare more than 2,000 of his fellow Wolf Pack members for exercises, the Operational Readiness Inspection and possible future wartime operations. For weeks, he worked diligently to produce 10 first-ever comprehensive readiness videos that encompassed critical steps and guidelines that efficiently and effectively taught vital Ability To Survive and Operate topics, saving countless man-hours of repeat training. Sergeant Skinkle acquired approximately 210 minutes of footage, devoted nearly 150 duty and over 30 off-duty hours to get the job done. His videos were lauded by the 8th FW inspector general as 'best seen to date' ATSO product and ensured the Wolf Pack would have yet another tool in its armory of success. He single-handedly produced videos that would normally require a four-man team and 14 uninterrupted production days. Further, he devoted over six off-duty hours to assist in base preparations to support citizens departing Japan. He documented over 90 minutes of historic video footage of the buildup efforts that will ensure a successful transition point for the possible voluntary relocation of personnel. Sergeant Skinkle's selfless determination has truly made him the Pride of the Pack." - Master Sgt. Grace Lamoureux, 8th FW PA base visual information manager