LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Name and Rank: Capt. Austin Merkel
Unit: 19th Airlift Wing Safety
Duty title: Chief of Flight Safety
Time in service: 8 years
Time at Little Rock: 2 Years
Goals: Build experience as an instructor pilot and soon-to-be field grade officer.
Hobbies: Spending time with family and outdoors.
Air Force Core Value portrayed: Excellence In All We do
Why was the individual selected and how do they display the core value?
Capt. Merkel exemplifies Excellence as an officer & instructor pilot. As Chief of Flight Safety and acting Wing Chief of Safety (filling a boarded O-5 billet), Merkel has shown great initiative in carrying numerous Safety programs to new heights, most notably hosting 3 AF Safety Center roadshow courses here at LRAFB. He also flies several times a week instructing combat-ready aircrews.