August 2017 Spotlight Airman

Air Force Staff Sgt. Steve Conkey, an Aircrew Flight Equipment technician assigned to the 175th Wing Operations Support Group, poses for a photo Aug. 1, 2017 at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md. Conkey has been an aircrew flight equipment technician here for about two years. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by SrA Enjoli Saunders)

August 2017 Spotlight Airman

Air Force Staff Sgt. Steve Conkey conducts a standard check of the night vision equipment utilized by A-10 pilots Aug. 1, 2017 at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md. Conkey has been an aircrew flight equipment technician here for about two years. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by SrA Enjoli Saunders)

August 2017 Spotlight Airman

Air Force Staff Sgt. Steve Conkey checks flight equipment used by A-10 pilots to ensure it is within standards and properly functioning Aug. 1, 2017 at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md. Conkey has been an aircrew flight equipment technician here for about two years. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by SrA Enjoli Saunders)

August 2017 Spotlight Airman

Air Force Staff Sgt. Steve Conkey checks a pilot’s flight equipment to ensure it is properly fitted and functioning Aug. 1, 2017 at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md. Conkey has been an aircrew flight equipment technician here about two years. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by SrA Enjoli Saunders)

August 2017 Airman Spotlight

Published Aug. 14, 2017
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.