MASTER SERGEANT hAMBRIGHT

Master Sergeant Hambright is an Aerospace Science Instructor at James F. Byrnes High School in Duncan, South Carolina. Sergeant Hambright was born July 2, 1976 in Gaffney, South Carolina and graduated from Gaffney Senior High School in 1994. He attended Spartanburg Technical College after high school graduation and transferred to Clemson University 2 years later. He attended classes for 2 years, but life circumstances forced Sergeant Hambright to delay the pursuit of his undergraduate degree. Over the next 12 years, he would earn an Associate of Applied Science in Aircraft Maintenance Technology and another in Instructor of Technology and Military Science from the Community College of the Air Force. Sergeant Hambright also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a concentration in education from Ashford University in 2012. His Professional Military Education includes Airman Leadership School, Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy and Basic Instructor Course. Sergeant Hambright joined the United States Air Force in 1998. He attended Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas and then was assigned to Sheppard AFB, Texas for Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Specialist Technical School. After graduation, he then moved to Luke AFB, Arizona for On-the-Job training as an F-16 Crew Chief. Sergeant Hambright’s first “permanent party” assignment was to the 78 th Fighter Squadron at Shaw AFB, South Carolina as an Assistant Dedicated Crew Chief on aircraft 91-0395. While assigned to the 78 th Fighter
Squadron, Sergeant Hambright deployed to Aviano AB, Italy in support of Operation Allied Force, Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Southern Watch and Incerlik AB, Turkey in support of Operation Northern Watch. In 2002, Sergeant Hambright was assigned to the 36 th Fighter Squadron and 51 st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Osan AB, Republic of Korea as Dedicated Crew Chief on aircraft 89-2140. While in Korea, he participated in several operational readiness exercises. In 2003, Sergeant Hambright was assigned to the 55 th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Shaw AFB, South Carolina as Dedicated Crew Chief on aircraft 93-0540. From there he was selected to serve as an aircraft maintenance Quality Assurance Inspector for the 20th Maintenance Group. He performed routine inspections and critical task list inspections on all assigned F-16CJ aircraft and personnel evaluations on all assigned maintenance personnel.In 2008, Sergeant Hambright returned to the 55 th Aircraft Maintenance Unit as a Flight Line Expediter. He directed, prioritized and coordinated all on and off equipment maintenance actions for all assigned F-16CJ aircraft. While there, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2010, Sergeant Hambright was selected for duty as a 372nd Training Squadron Field Training Detachment Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Specialist Instructor. He taught courses on F-16 hydraulic, fuel, start, airframe, landing gear, flight controls, electrical and avionics systems. While there, he earned his Master Instructor and Professional Managers Certification. Sergeant Hambright then moved to Valdosta, Georgia where he was assigned to the 75 th Aircraft Maintenance Unit and 23rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron Moody AFB, Georgia as a Flight Chief and Production Superintendent. He supervised maintenance on A-10C, HC-130J, HH-60G aircraft. Sergeant Hambright was then assigned to the 81 st Fighter Squadron, Moody AFB, GA as the squadron’s First Sergeant and the base’s International Military Student Officer. He retired on 1 April 2018 after 20 years of service. Master Sergeant’s military decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal with 1 service star, Iraq Campaign Medal with 1 service star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Korean Defense Service Medal.