Features

Airlifter Frost: Just warming up

Story and photos by Airman Jared Lovett
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
June 25, 2021
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Raphael Frost, 86th Operation Support Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of aircrew flight equipment, stands by night vision goggles at Ramstein Air Base, June 14. Frost started working at RAB Feb. 24, 2021, after arriving from Kunsan Air Base, Korea, where he worked on F-16s. 

An Airman from the 86th Operations Support Squadron was named Airlifter of the Week June 10, for his outstanding display of leadership and innovation.

Staff Sgt. Raphael Frost, noncommissioned officer in charge of aircrew flight equipment, streamlines the way that AFE issues equipment, making it faster for the aircrew to get what they need when they need it.

“He’s taken knowledge from his previous assignment in Kunsan, and jumped into innovating our current processes and improving them in making them more efficient by applying their processes to our own,” said Capt. Riley Snowden, 37th Airlift Squadron flight commander.

Frost currently works as the supervisor over four sections at AFE.

Since arriving at Ramstein, Frost has excelled as a leader by drawing from his experience at Kunsan Air Base, Korea, working on F-16s.

“He’s always stepping up to make sure he’s leading by example, in addition to the fact that he’s never just sitting around,”  said Snowden. “He’s always looking for a way to get involved, whether that’s taking care of equipment or training Airmen.”

Frost, a Chicago native, also enjoys using his time mentoring younger Airmen on things he wishes he had known when he joined the military.

“He takes it above and beyond, working with young Airmen,” said Master Sgt. Ashley Spencer, AFE superintendent. “Teaching them how to cook and making sure they have all of their needs met with being so young and just leaving home.”

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Raphael Frost, 86th Operation Support Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of aircrew flight equipment, inspects night vision goggles at Ramstein Air Base, June 14.

After enduring a couple of injuries during training years ago, Frost was motivated to gain a better understanding of how to take better care of his body.

With hopes of earning his Master’s Degree in Health and Sports Science this year, Frost wants to share this knowledge about healthy living with Airmen so that they don’t make the same mistakes he made in the past.

“I love fitness,” said Frost. “I want everybody to be fit, and I think it’s better for people to know how to cook because it helps them save money and it’s good for their health.”

Frost’s goal for the future is to commission as a physical therapist to better help Airmen with their health.

“This is his passion, and he lets nothing stand in the way of that,” said Spencer. “To help himself and others is his drive.”

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Raphael Frost, 86th Operation Support Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of aircrew flight equipment, stands with leadership at the Airlifter of the Week Ceremony, June 14. Frost is passionate about fitness and working towards a Master’s Degree in Health and Sports Science.

 

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Raphael Frost, 86th Operation Support Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of aircrew flight equipment, left, shows 86th Airlift Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Hope Skibitsky, night vision goggles at Ramstein Air Base, June 10. Frost trains Airmen how to inspect NVGs whenever he gets the chance.
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