August 2017 Airman Spotlight

  • Published
  • By SrA Enjoli Saunders
  • 175th Wing
Baltimore --  

Name: Steve Conkey

Rank: Staff Sergeant

Unit: 175th Operations Support Squadron

Job Description: Aircrew Flight Equipment

Fulltime job: Aircrew Flight Equipment Technician

Hometown: Naperville, Illinois

Joined the MDANG: May 2015

Total Service years: 8

Family: My girlfriend Rachel and two dogs, Indiana and Shelby.

Favorite Movie: Casino

Favorite food: Cold anything

Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Bears

Tell us your brief life story?

I was born in Wallingford, Connecticut but moved to Illinois, where I grew up in a suburb of Chicago. I enlisted in the United States Air Force in 2006 but separated in 2010. After separating, I attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois and earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Following graduation, I moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, where I met my girlfriend Rachel. I ended up back in the USAF, this time in the reserve and accepted a full time technician position at Grissom Air Reserve Base in Indiana. I transferred from Grissom to Warfield Air National Guard Base in 2015 and currently work as a full time technician here in the Aircrew Flight Equipment shop.


Tell us about your military career?

I began my career as active duty in 2006 and attended technical school at Shepherd Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. I then spent two years attached to the 510/555 Fighter Squadron (F-16) in Aviano, Italy. While in Italy, I was assigned to temporary duty stations in Spain, France, and Bulgaria. Upon returning from the temporary duty stations, I was transferred to the 8th Special Operations Squadron (CV-22) and deployed to Balad, Iraq and Kandahar, Afghanistan. I separated from the USAF in 2010 and rejoined the reserves in 2014 where I worked for the 434 Air Refueling Wing (KC-135) until I transferred to the 175th Wing.

How have you enjoyed your time at the Maryland Air National Guard?

I’ve always been a fan of the A-10, so the ability to work with such a historic aircraft has been very rewarding.

What is your favorite Air Force or military memory or story?

My most memorable experience was being a part of the first combat deployment of the CV-22 Osprey airframe in 2009.

What is your proudest moment?

My proudest moment is probably graduating college. It is something I worked very hard to achieve and to accomplish that goal was extremely gratifying.


What are you passionate about?

Shooting, fishing, kayaking, travel.