An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Fairchild’s Finest: Airman 1st Class Megan Hatch

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sean Campbell
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Rank and name: Airman 1st Class Megan Hatch

Unit of assignment: 93rd Air Refueling Squadron

Nominee’s duty title: Boom operator

Home town and state: Orlando, Florida

What do you do on a daily basis at Fairchild AFB?
Prior to deploying, I was mainly just learning my job and completing mission certification training. I’m excited to hopefully get placed in a work center when I get back.

What do you enjoy about your job?
It sounds cliché, but I’d have to say it’s getting back to the boom pod, opening up the sighting door window and anxiously awaiting spotting the receiver. It’s always such a surreal moment, right before getting to refuel an aircraft as I lay there and think “yes, this is my job and the military pays me to do this.”

Why did you choose to serve in the military?
It was something I had always thought about doing and wanted to do. I really want to travel the world and have once in a lifetime opportunities.

Family?
I just have one sister, but I have a rather large extended family. I have a lot of cousins, and I’m fortunate enough to have them all live in Orlando.

How long have you been in the military?
I have been in a little over a year and a half. It’ll be two years in February.

What is your greatest accomplishment?
Education wise, I earned my Associate’s Degree before enlisting. However, joining the Air Force trumps that as my greatest accomplishment.

What goals do you want to achieve or meet while at Fairchild AFB?
I’d like to continue my education with online schooling and earn a bachelor’s degree.

What are your hobbies?
When winter rolls around and there’s some fresh snow on the mountains, I’ll be out there every chance I get to go snowboarding. I also enjoy working out, playing sports, photography and just about anything that’s outdoorsy.

What is your best habit?
I never like to leave a job half done or unfinished.

What is your favorite quote?
“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” – Babe Ruth

What are your favorite movies?
I probably have too many to list. Just Friends, Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Wars are a few.

Who is your favorite mentor and what did you learn from him/her?
One of my managers at a previous job is by far one of my favorite mentors. He constantly taught his coworkers, including myself, that we are all capable of more than we think we are, to always believe in ourselves and that in life everything happens for a reason.

If you could spend one hour with any person, who would it be and why?
My late grandmother Shelba Jean. I’d love to be able to get the chance to talk to her more about what she did in the military and to see how proud she is of me.

What Airman 1st Class Hatch’s leadership is saying:

“A1C Hatch is so new, she just completed training and is on her first mission solo. Yet, she already is a leader even in the combat zone, executing 30 combat sorties to more than 130 coalition fighter and bomber aircraft, leading to her being selected as the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron boom operator of the month. More than that, she’s a well-rounded Airman, as proven by her stepping up as our unit physical training leader and elected by her peers as the 92nd ARW boom operator sssociation secretary. She is definitely among many fine Airmen within our squadron, and absolutely Fairchild’s Finest!” said Master Sgt. Kevin Wilson, 93rd Air Refueling Squadron superintendent.