460th medic demonstrates passion for job

Published Oct. 24, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Samantha Saulsbury
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Every day, millions of service members wake up, don their uniform and go to work. They enter their work places and begin their routine tasks.

What sets one Airman apart, however, is the true dedication and passion he shows for his job.

Following in the footsteps of his father, a retired U.S. Air Force chief master sergeant, Tech Sgt. Danny Wong, 460th Medical Support Squadron aerospace medical technician enlisted at the age of 19. His father encouraged him to enter into the medical field because of its marketability for future jobs outside of the Air Force.

Thirteen years later, Wong is confident he made the right decision.

"As a medic, I facilitate clinical management of patient care," Wong said. "Taking care of our warfighters makes my day-to-day work experience seem less like I'm actually working and more like I'm being rewarded for doing something I enjoy."

During his career, Wong has been assigned to two stateside bases, Joint-Base San Antonio, Texas, and Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado. He has also served overseas at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.

While overseas, Wong worked in the emergency room, helping those injured in the line of combat. He is appreciative of the chance to have been a direct impact on the safe treatment and return of warfighters to their families and friends.

"Working in the emergency room gave me indescribable pride in my job," he said, referring to his assignments in Germany and Afghanistan.

According to Wong, working as a medic provides a more in-depth understanding of not only the patient care process, but also a robust understanding of "service before self" and what it means to be a leader.

"When I first got here (Wong) was my mentor," said Senior Airman James Miller, 460th Medical Group Aerospace medical technician. "He took care of me. He's very easy to talk to and very professional. He loves his job and enjoys being able to help people."

Wong makes an effort to be a good role model to everyone around him, to include his Airmen, as well as his own four sons.

"I want to set the example for them to follow and influence others in the future," he said. "I like to teach the younger folks around me the roles and responsibilities of being successful. It's always in the back of my mind."

Although he admits the job can get stressful, Wong said he couldn't be more grateful for having a critical job that he truly loves. At the end of each day, he knows he has made a significant contribution to the well-being of not only his Air Force team, but their family members, as well.

"Without a fit fighting force, there isn't a fighting force for national defense," he said. "Knowing that I have a direct hand in not only patient care, but also their safe return to their family members gives me a sense of purpose."