Corporal James Matthews, 460th Operations Support Squadron

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  • 460th Operations Support Squadron
Cpl. James Matthews, a Royal Australian air force satellite system operator with the 460th Operations Support Squadron, is Team Buckley's Warrior of the Week for June 5-11. 

Corporal Matthews has served in the Royal Australian air force Detachment for 10 years and hails from Alexandria Victoria, Australia, population 2,141. In his free time he likes to snowboard, mountain bike and rock climb. 

What is the combat capability that this person exemplified to earn the title, "Warrior of the Week?"
"Corporal Matthews rose to the top in the RAAF selection process to fill the small Australian contingent at Buckley Air Force Base," said Lt. Col. William Uhlmeyer, 460th Operations Support Squadron commander. "He epitomizes our United States Air Force core values and absolutely lives up to the RAAF core values of being a highly motivated professional who consistently motivates, supports, and develops his people. From day one, he's made an enormous impact on the Space-Based Infrared System mission. It doesn't matter if he is on the operations floor executing critical command and control over the Defense Support Program satellite constellation or in front of the classroom teaching over 179 other SBIRS space operators."

How do your day-to-day duties impact the Air Force mission?
I train American, Australian, Canadian and British air force personnel operating the SBIRS weapons system.

If you could change one thing about the Royal Australian air force what would it be? I would like them to add a pension after 20 years and more education benefits.

Why do you serve?
To defend Australia.

What has been your most memorable experience in the air force?
Deploying to Sumatra, Indonesia in support of the Australian Defense Force tsunami relief effort.

What is your most memorable personal accomplishment?
Completing my Emergency Medical Technician certification. 

If you were not in the military, where would you be? Why?
I have been in the Royal Australian air force since I was 17, I have no idea what else to do. 

Where would you like to be in 10 years? What will you be doing?
Teaching in Australia or America. I am not sure what I would be teaching, I just enjoy teaching.

Military accomplishments:
NCO of the Quarter 2009, 1st Quarter
Commanders Commendation 2003
Australian Active Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Humanitarian Overseas Assistance Medal
Australian Service Medal
Two Deployments to the Middle East
Instructor at all my units