Linebacker of the Week: Staff Sgt. Austin Lavire

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Austin Lavire, a pavement and equipment craftsman assigned to the 36th Civil Engineering Squadron, operates a loader, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Nov. 2, 2022. As a pavement and equipment craftsman, Lavire conducts training on heavy equipment such as graders, loaders, backhoes and dump trucks. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Airman 1st Class Emily Saxton)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Austin Lavire, a pavement and equipment craftsman assigned to the 36th Civil Engineering Squadron, receives the Linebacker of the Week Award from U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Paul Birch, commander of the 36th Wing, and Chief Master Sgt. Jose Ramon, the senior enlisted leader assigned to the 36th Maintenance Group, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Nov. 2, 2022. The Team Andersen Linebacker of the Week recognizes outstanding enlisted, officer, civilian and total force personnel who have had an impact on achieving Team Andersen’s mission, vision and priorities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emily Saxton)

Linebacker of the Week: Staff Sgt. Austin Lavire

Published Nov. 8, 2022
By Airman 1st Class Emily Saxton

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --

Andersen Air Force Base, Guam-- U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Austin Lavire, a pavement and equipment craftsman assigned to the 36th Civil Engineering Squadron, was recognized as the 36th Wing’s Team Andersen Linebacker of the Week, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Nov. 2, 2022.

The Team Andersen Linebacker of the Week recognizes outstanding enlisted, officer, civilian and total force personnel who have had an impact on achieving Team Andersen’s mission, vision and priorities.

As a pavement and equipment craftsman, Lavire supervises four Airmen and conducts training on heavy equipment such as graders, loaders, backhoes and dump trucks. He provides concrete, asphalt construction and repair capabilities. He also maintains 15,000 acres of roads, airfields and facilities. Lavire distributes daily work schedule plans and assigns personnel to jobs, and coordinates work order requirements for tenant and deployed units.

Since arriving at Andersen AFB in July 2020, Lavire led 18 joint personnel through a 3,000 square foot asphalt project that enabled the first austere C-17 landing on the Pacific Region Training Center – Andersen, with an Agile Combat Employment refuel operation. His actions led to his section winning the squadron’s Team of the Quarter award. Lavire directed 24 members in the completion of 40 work orders and the management of 4,000 personnel hours. These actions were critical in transferring the work order tracking system from Navy over to the Air Force during the Joint Region Marianas realignment.

“My favorite part of my job is the hands-on part,” said Lavire.

Additionally, Lavire played a critical role in the replacement of two wells. As one of the only military certified crane operators here, his knowledge played a crucial role in restoring the bases primary water source, but also in sustaining the wing’s humanitarian and disaster relief efforts. Lavire also played a role in the installation of two aircraft arresting systems. He led mission critical crane operations that restored recovery capes in response to four in flight emergencies that saved four pilots.

“It’s kind of always been my dream job,” said Lavire. “I’ve been to more than 30 countries now, I love it.”

The term Linebacker is rooted deep within Team Andersen’s history. Operation Linebacker II took place on Dec. 18, 1972, and was the largest number of heavy bomber strikes launched by the U.S. Air Force since the end of World War II. During the operation, B-52s from Andersen flew round-the-clock bombing missions over North Vietnam to destroy major targets in Hanoi and Haiphong in an effort to bring the Democratic Republic of Vietnam back to negotiations.

The recipient will have the opportunity to sign a “Linebacker” football jersey that will be displayed in the Wing Headquarters building.

Way to go, Lavire!