Editor’s note: This "employee spotlight" series regularly features outstanding personnel from Defense Logistics Agency Aviation at Ogden at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
Name: Ashley Jones
Organization: Planning and Support/Commodities Branch
Years of Service: 5 years.
What is your job title, and what do you do, specifically? As a sustainment specialist, I work long-term support for the 309th Commodities Maintenance Group at Hill Air Force Base. My primary job is supporting the hydraulics workload and the 531st Commodities Squadron.
What do you like most about your job? What I like most is being able to support that warfighter. I work with a great group of people in planning and support and material management who are willing to help others and work as a team to do all we can in supporting the depot.
What kind(s) of training and education helps your work performance in your current role? My team and other sustainment specialists in planning and shave helped me transition to being a sustainment specialist and become successful in my workload, but also the training that is done by the division throughout the year and courses supplied by the business process analyst’s that keep us updated.
As a sustainment specialist, how has your workload been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic? Thankfully, it has not been affected by COVID-19 due to the fact we have the opportunity of teleworking. When I have questions, I have a great team within DLA and the Air Force. Also, I have been able to reach out to my lead and we have been able to keep great communication during these times we are in. I think that has helped dramatically.
What have been the challenges? I really haven’t seen too many challenges. It is different not being surrounded physically by your team. I was worried that 100% telework would have challenges, but in this era we are able to communicate in different ways and even share screens if needed. Web meetings and other communication is done with instant messenger, email and phone. Our leadership has also been available to help us personally deal with this and make sure we have all the tools to be successful to support the warfighter.
If you could speak directly to the warfighters you support, what would you tell them? I would say thank you for all they sacrifice each and every day. I would also ask them what I can do to help them and what things they see that we as DLA could do better.
What advice would you have given yourself 10 years ago? To keep working hard to reach your goals and to never give up even when things get tough.
Where do you see yourself five years from now? Florida. I would like to continue to excel at my career here at Hill AFB and eventually transfer to Eglin AFB, Florida, to be closer to family.
What is/are your favorite book(s), television show(s) or movie(s)? I really enjoy listening to a variety of different podcasts. I also enjoy This Is Us, and sitting down to watch comedies or thrillers with my family.
What are some of your passions outside of work? I love spending time outdoors with my family.
What is your favorite military aircraft? Why? I would have to say the F-22, because my husband used to work on them and he has taught my kids and I about all they can do and how amazing they are.