Air Commando highlight: Aerospace maintenance ace

Editor’s note: This feature is the thirteenth in a series of Air Commando spotlights at Cannon. The Airmen being highlighted are recent Diamond Sharp and Hard Charger Award winners.

link U.S. Air Force photo: Staff Sgt. Whitney Amstutz

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Joshua Ohienmhen, 27th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aerospace maintenance technician, was selected for the Diamond Sharp Award for his commitment to excellence and outstanding performance.

The Air Force is diverse as the individuals who comprise it, each with their own histories and reasons for enlisting. From those seeking affordable avenues to higher education, to those motivated by love of country, no two reasons are derived of the same experience.

No one knows better than Airman 1st Class Joshua Ohienmhen, 27th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aerospace maintenance technician, that a person is the product of their experiences, both good and bad.

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to help and inspire younger kids,” the Bristol, Virginia native said. “I didn’t really have a father growing up, and I know what it’s like to have nothing but negative male role models in your life.”

“My mom urged me to be a good kid, and I’ve done that,” Ohienmhen continued. “I want to let others know that there’s another way, even if your current situation seems hopeless, or you’re surrounded by people who make bad decisions. It’s possible to rise above.”

Ohienmhen, who enlisted in the Air Force at his mother’s urging, is now charged with the responsibility of ensuring aircraft are in perfect working order prior to take off. As an aerospace maintenance technician, the 19-year-old inspects, troubleshoots and repairs five AC-130H Spectre gunships and 12 AC-130W Stinger IIs.

“On a day-to-day basis, I perform inspections, preventative maintenance and launch aircraft,” Ohienmhen said. “This job is incredibly detail oriented. You have to be confident in your skill set because ultimately, the lives of the crew are in our hands. There is no room for complacency or error.”

In addition to excelling on duty, Ohienmhen makes a point to dedicate time to additional squadron and community initiatives.

“I knew from the start that I wanted to be an airman who does more than the bare minimum,” Ohienmhen said. “I volunteer to help during squadron functions whenever and wherever I’m needed. I also take an interest in what’s going on in the local community, because for as long as I’m here at Cannon, I’m a part of it.”

For his outstanding performance in every spectrum, Ohienmhen was recently selected as a recipient of the Diamond Sharp Award. When asked how newly-minted Air Commandos could follow in his footsteps, the airman 1st class did not mince words.

“Stay out of trouble,” Ohienmhen said. “Don’t drink underage, don’t drive if you’ve had a drink and above all, stay professional.”