931st mask fitter to retire

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Colleen Celeski
  • 931st Aerospace Medicine Flight
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  The Operational Readiness Inspection that 931st members have been long preparing for will end at the end of June, and so will the career of the Airman who fit many of their gas masks.

Tech. Sgt John E. Sutton Jr., a bioenvironmental engineering craftsman assigned to the 931st Aerospace Medicine Flight, is scheduled to retire on June 29 after 20 years of service in the Air Force.

Sergeant Sutton began his military career in 1981 as an avionics instruments specialist. In 1982, he cross-trained into his current field, bioenvironmental engineering, and began on-the-job training at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

His follow on assignment was Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas. As Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge of Special Projects, Sergeant Sutton was responsible for several programs, to include Water Testing and Industrial Hygiene. He received additional training at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, in radiation monitoring and detection of nuclear, chemical and biological agents.
 
In 1989, Sergeant Sutton left active duty to pursue a college education. He received a bachelor's degree in chemistry in May, 1994. Missing the military lifestyle, Sergeant Sutton enlisted in the Air Force Reserve on July 6, 1995.  While assigned to Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., he initiated the Quantitative Fit Test Program for gas mask respirator fit tests and assisted in unit training.
 
Sergeant Sutton later transferred to the 931st and is currently the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Bioenvironmental Engineering at the AMDF.  In addition to the workload of a one-man section, he implemented and managed the Readiness Skills Verification Program for the unit.  The program received an "Outstanding" rating during the unit's first Health Services Inspection in October, 2007.

Sergeant Sutton is married, enjoys traveling, reading history books, sports and collecting coins.  He has traveled to 14 countries and 31 states. He is looking forward to retirement, which will bring additional traveling opportunities and time to reflect on memories made during his 20 year Air Force career.'

If You Go
What: Tech. Sgt. John Sutton Jr.'s retirement ceremony
When: June 29 at 1 p.m.
Where: To be determined, call (316) 759-3358 for more information