943rd Master Sgt Recognized, ARC AFE SNCO of the Year

  • Published
  • By Andre Trinidad

Master Sgt. Canvis Thomas, Aircrew Flight Equipment, Flight Chief, 943rd Operations Support Flight was recently awarded the Air Reserve Components (ARC) Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE) Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) of the year for 2020.

This prestigious award recognizes the tremendous successes that Master Sgt. Thomas accomplished during 2020. This award is significant because Thomas’ competition was every Aircrew Flight Equipment SNCO in the Air Guard and the US Air Force Reserve.

During the past year, the 943rd Rescue Group AFE section was down 50% of their manning. In addition to several real-world deployments that needed to go down-range, COVID-19 hit the United States.

Being the only full-time employee in a critical mission support staff, Thomas experienced a two-week stay-at-home order during the beginning of the global pandemic and then went back to her mission-essential work.

“I was the only one here during that time frame,” said Thomas. “In addition we also had a Unit Effectiveness Inspection (UEI). I was a one-person shop, holding it down for the team while the rest were deployed.”

Thomas thanks her leadership and traditional reservists who supported the AFE mission during this challenging time.

“I want to thank my superintendent, Senior Master Sergeant Willie Bowen,” said Thomas. “I’ve worked for him almost my entire 14-years of military service. He has pushed me, challenged me, and given me opportunities to excel in this career field.”

During these challenges Thomas was able to complete every task required of her and successfully supported the rescue mission, These Things We Do That Others May Live.

Thomas said, “I’m grateful for all my mentors, both from active duty Air Force, Guard and the Reserve.”

The 943rd Operations Support Flight is part of the 943rd Rescue Group assigned to Davis-Monthan AFB and the 920th Rescue Wing, assigned to Patrick Space Force Base, Florida.