ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Service before self; as one of the three Air Force Core Values, it is one of the most important values an Airman can have, enabling them to soar great heights in their career.
Gregory Carter, the Air Force Repair Enhancement Program supply manager assigned to the 28th Maintenance Group, embodies this core value. After more than 20 years of dedicated service in the enlisted corps as well as his continued support out of the uniform, Carter has demonstrated his capabilities time and time again.
“When I was active duty munitions, I deployed several times for numerous contingencies,” Carter said.
On one of these deployments he was injured in the line of duty while assisting at Khobar Towers, where he was awarded a Purple Heart.
Once Carter retired, he donned his civilian clothes and signed back on with the force. Moving on from his career in munitions to join the 28th MXG and he got to work. Carter has made an even bigger name for himself since working with the group, to the point where other bases are seeking out his help and guidance.
“I get calls daily from other bases throughout the Air Force asking how we do it here at Ellsworth, how we make it so efficient,” Carter explained. “I’ve been [sent to] numerous bases already that have asked me to help them, like our sister base Dyess [Air Force Base, Texas], and helped their program.”
Chief Master Sgt. Kenyon Blough, the Chief of Quality Assurance assigned to the 28th MXG, said he has known Carter for about nine months now. Within that time, he already sees Carter has a fantastic work ethic, always putting in the hours and going that extra mile.
“He’s always dedicated to what needs to be done and is still bleeding that blue,” Blough said.
Carter’s commitment to his work and his expertise was recognized when he was awarded The 2017 Outstanding Department of Defense Employee or Service Member with a Disability Award as the Air Force representative competing at the Department of Defense level.
“I was extremely shocked when I was told I won and will be representing the Air Force,” Carter said. “But the one thing I can say is that it wasn’t just me, it’s the people I work with day-to-day.”
Through the countless years he has spent with the military, Carter has performed many incredible tasks. From serving in numerous contingencies across the globe as a munitions troop, to his display of valor during the Khobar tower terrorist attack, and continuing to serve after retiring from active duty, he has shown he cares a great deal about the force.
Now, a decade after retirement, Carter has continued his contributions, saving the 28th Bomb Wing roughly $34 million, more than $3 million a year on average. He ensures that nothing is put to waste.
“What we do keeps the B-1 flying,” Carter stated. “The fruit of our labor is when these jets take off and come back after another successful mission. That’s the most gratifying position for me.”
Carter has dedicated more than 30 years to the Air Force, exemplifying the three core values. Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do; and he’s not done yet.
“I hope to see him have continued success,” Blough said. “He has a tremendous history with the Air Force both in and out of the uniform, and all of us here at the maintenance group hope he takes the shop to even greater heights; he has been a tremendous leader.”