Hobbs named SNCO of the year

Published July 12, 2017
By Staff Sgt. Jami K. Lancette
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Bettering the total force and community, one Grissomite finds herself in the limelight for going above and beyond.

Master Sgt. Lindsay Hobbs, 434th Operations Support Squadron cyber systems surety craftsman, won the Air Force Reserve Command Combat Crew Communications Senior Non-commissioned Officer of the year.

“I was pretty excited and I wasn’t really expecting it,” said Hobbs. “I actually didn’t know my supervisor had nominated me for it.

“Even though I work behind closed doors in a vault, I know my job makes a difference,” she added. “I like knowing that the communication equipment I give to the aircrew keep them safe from harm while they are flying.”

With almost 19 years of experience, Hobbs has become the go-to trainer for higher level certifications and is counted on by the total force in her career field.

“What makes her stand out in our world is that she’s pretty much the only one in the command who trains other bases to do the higher level work,” said Master Sgt. Mark Copp, 434th Operations Support Squadron cyber systems surety craftsman.

"She’s developed a binder and training program that a lot of shops use not only in AFRC but even active duty and guard,” said Copp. “There are colonels that used to be assigned to Grissom that are now commanding other bases who sent their shop to Grissom for her training.”

According to her awards package, Hobbs has deployed over six times and has made some pretty impressive strides globally.

While assigned to the tanker operations center in the CCC sections in Southwest Asia, she built 150 communication kits and which helped enable the offload of 31.6 million pounds of fuel to 3,683 receivers resulting in the elimination of 1,338 terrorist targets.

With her quick global thinking she provided emergency communications security to transient crews and assisted with two no notice transfers while supporting deployed operations ensuring seamless critical cargo movement and mission accomplishment.

“My team and I deploy together and work together, it’s really just one big family,” said Hobbs. “I couldn’t do my job without them.”

But it wasn’t just her professional accomplishments which helped her garner this award. Giving back to the community both globally and locally attributed to her success.

“On deployments I volunteer at the library and help out with barbeques that the group puts on for personnel,” said Hobbs.

Hobbs also volunteered six hours at Patriot Village by enhancing living quarters for over 1,000 personnel.

She was recognized by Red Cross for helping save lives by donating blood every 56 days for a children’s hospital.

“My advice to new Airman, serve with your whole heart and never give up,” said Hobbs. “I suggest you set goals and take every opportunity you have to accomplish those.”

Between serving her country and devoting spare time to her community Hobbs finds the time to don on yet another hat as the team manager for her kid’s soccer team.

"I don’t ever really hear her say no, if someone needs the help she is always willing to do it,” Copp said. “It’s one thing to do your job very well at your base but when you start helping other bases that needs to be recognized.”

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.

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SNCO of the year

Hobbs Official Photo

Hobbs named SNCO of the year

Public Affairs Staff