HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – Staff Sgt. Vincent Diaz, a crew chief with the 419th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, initially joined the Air Force to help pay for his education. Once he arrived, he found meaning in his work as a crew chief, which led to him to change course and become an air reserve technician, or ART, working full time at Hill AFB.

Diaz has been with the 419th AMXS for about four years. As an ART, he is considered an expert in his field – someone to whom part-time reservists can come for advice and training. He enjoys mentoring traditional reservists and helping them see the value in their service.

“I like showing people that in the Reserve they can still make a big impact,” Diaz said. “I feel like a lot of the Airmen I’ve trained have inherited that perspective.”

When he’s not working on jets, Diaz enjoys hiking, fishing, and working on off-road vehicles. He particularly enjoys visiting the Little Sahara sand dunes.

Diaz anticipates a long career in the 419th Fighter Wing, and said he’s found purpose as a reservist.