Fairchild's Finest: Staff Sgt. Freddie Kight

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sean Campbell
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs


Nominee's Rank/Name:  Staff Sgt. Freddie Kight

Unit of assignment: 22nd Training Squadron 

Nominee's duty title:  NCO in charge, Parachute Training

Home town and state: Prosper, Texas

What do you do on a daily basis at Fairchild AFB?
On Mondays and Thursdays, I conduct emergency parachute training followed by a demonstration jump and upgrade training for flight parachutists. Wednesdays, I conduct morning and afternoon hoist training for S-V80-A students. Tuesdays and Fridays are mission planning and reconstitution days for the following week.

What do you enjoy about your job?
I take pride in what I do because we are the gateway for emergency parachute training for the entire Air Force. I also enjoy the perks of my job, which include mentoring young parachutists, being a jumpmaster and jumping with fellow Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Specialists.

Why did you choose to serve in the military?
I wanted to serve my country as my father and brother did before me. They were a huge influence on my choice to join the Air Force due to my father being a United States Army Vietnam veteran, and my brother an Air Force veteran.

Family?
My wife, Raven Kight and our two four-legged children: a Rottweiler named Diesel and an English Mastiff named Oakley.

How long have you been in the military?
10 years, 2 months

What is your greatest accomplishment?
Being one out of a handful of SERE specialists accepted into the Air Force Language Enabled Airman Program.

What goals do you want to achieve or meet while at Fairchild AFB?
I would like to complete my Bachelor's Degree, promote to technical sergeant, volunteer for another deployment, and travel around the Northwest.

What are your hobbies?
I enjoy outdoor activities with my wife and two dogs, playing and watching sports and woodworking.

What is your best habit?
Being neat; sometimes it becomes a little OCD for me but I like the organization in my life.

What is your favorite quote?
"Be yourself; everyone else is taken." - Oscar Wilde

What are your favorite movies?
Spy movies, old and new James Bond films.

Who is your favorite mentor and what did you learn from him/her?
My parents are my mentors. My father taught me how to be a man, how to be responsible for my actions and to always finish what I start. My mother taught and showed me that, with faith and drive, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to, just as she did when she first came to America as a foreign exchange student from Brazil.  

If you could spend one hour with any person, who would it be and why?
I would spend the time with my grandfather from Brazil because I have not seen him since I was 12 years old. He always made any and every moment entertaining, and when you are with him you spend the whole time laughing.

What Staff Sgt. Kight's leadership is saying:
"Staff Sgt. Kight is a consummate professional.  He meticulously plans and executes all aspects of the SERE School's highest risk mission, he provides insight on operational improvements, and instructs students in emergency parachuting on a weekly basis.  He is a driven leader who, despite his many responsibilities, still finds time to actively continue his professional development, participate in the Air Force LEAP program and mentor those around him to do the same.  It is an absolute privilege to work with him on a daily basis, as he makes everyone else's job around him easier because of his expertise and passion."  Tech Sgt. Andrew Dunn, 22nd TRS flight chief parachute training.