Fairchild’s Finest: Airman 1st Class Christopher R. Knittel

Airman 1st Class Christopher R. Knittel, 92nd Air Refueling Squadron in-flight refueling specialist, has been selected as a member of Team Fairchild's elite, Fairchild's Finest at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. Photo was taken during combat operations during a training mission while refueling A-10 Thunderbolt II’s over Kyrgyzstan. (Courtesy photo by Combat Aircraft Magazine/Released)

Fairchild’s Finest: Airman 1st Class Christopher R. Knittel

Published May 31, 2012
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIF FORCE BASE, Wash. --

Name: Airman 1st Class Christopher R. Knittel

Unit: 92nd Air Refueling Squadron

Duty Title: In-Flight Refueling Specialist

Hometown: Fort Collins, Colo.

Years in Service: 2

Why I joined: I was in college and realized I couldn't picture myself in an office job. I joined to get out of the office, see the world and to be able to create a life that I could be proud to tell my children about.

Family: Mom, Dad, Step-Dad, Brother and Girlfriend.

Favorite aspect of job: Traveling the world.

Hobbies: Four-wheeling and movies.

Role Model: My Dad

Most memorable Air Force experience: Going to Curacao in the Caribbean, staying in a hotel on the beach and being able to scuba dive while supporting counter narcotics operations.

How do you make responsible choices: The way I was raised, combined with my experiences in the Air Force -- having a set of core values to guide me and watching people go down the wrong path help me stay on the right path.

Reason for nomination: Knittel is a phenomenal Airman. He was selected as the 92nd Operations Group Airman of the Year and has deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he flew 423 hours on 67 combat missions, while supporting 272 allied aircraft. While deployed, he still found time to devote four hours to delivering medical supplies to a local orphanage and eight hours towards painting local schools for 124 children.

He completed his initial Mission Certification Training in 67 days as opposed to the 90 days it usually takes and was labeled as a "model student". Additionally, Knittel served as a 92nd Air Refueling Wing Honor Guard member where he performed 99 hours of service and taught 20 Boy Scouts Color Guard procedures.