Meet Senior Airman John Bosley

  • Published
  • By Capt. Matthew Mutti
  • Wing Executive Staff Officer
Whether on the battlefield or after a monstrous nor'easter, when you lose the amenity of power, it is quickly noticed.

I remember being a kid and sitting for hours on my living room floor with my brothers playing card games by candle light waiting for the power to comeback on. After powerful storms came whistling by, I vividly remembered eating ice cream so it wouldn't melt, or having to eat peanut butter sandwiches because we couldn't turn the oven on.

It wasn't till I met Senior Airman John Bosley that I started to think about how that childhood experience could relate to the base. Senior Airman Bosley is one of our newest "Power-Pro" members. The Power Production element of Civil Engineering ensures the base always has the power to survive.

After serving in Westover Air Reserve Base's Aerial Port for two years, he recently transferred to the Air Guard and became a proud member of the Civil Engineer Squadron.

"I was drawn to the Guard for a few reasons, but mostly for the college benefits," said Bosley. "I am working on my bachelor's degree and the Guards' tuition programs help out more then the Reserves."

Bosley, an electrician apprentice outside of the guard and school, was drawn to Civil Engineering from the onset, but when he learned that it was going to be reorganized, he opted for one of the carrerfields that was not being eliminated at Barnes.

The base has a system of generators, that in the event of power failure, the members of the base would not have to sit around playing cards in the candle light, they could work without interruption because of the work the Power-Pro team does daily.

"We provide regular and reoccurring maintenance to the base's power generators", said Bosley. But he was quick to add there is more to the job then just power.

With the arrival of the F-15s, there is a new requirement for Power-Pro, they are now responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the runway barrier system.

"We ensure the barrier is ready for any emergency, all the time" said Bosley. The barrier is operated by large diesel engines, and under the leadership of Master Sgt. Craig Boudreau, the Power-Pro team works to ensure those systems work properly.

In fact, the first operational use of the barrier here at Barnes happened this month, as their was an aircraft whose landing gear sensors indicated a possible problem and the pilot was forced to engage the barrier as part of his safety procedures.

"It was one of my proudest moments," Bosley explained. "A test is one thing, but knowing we had a part in making sure that pilot was safe, brought it all into perspective."

After a year here at Barnes, Bosley knew he wanted to be more involved. Last month he was selected to participate in the Base Honor Guard and performed his first detail this month.

When not working as a electrician, participating with the Honor Guard, studying or working on diesel engines, Bosley enjoys riding his 450cc Suzuki motorcycle or spending time with his girlfriend Tiffany Giard. In fact, after learning about how much Airman Bosley enjoyed what he did here, Tiffany is preparing to enlist in September.

The next time you are caught without power, think about how that could affect you in a conflict, but rest assure, the Power-Pro team will be ready to light up the base in a moments notice.