Linebacker of the Week: Staff Sgt. Joseph Sutton Published Oct. 25, 2023 By Senior Airman Emily Saxton ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Sutton, the supervisor of Silver Flag maintenance assigned to the 36th Logistics Readiness Squadron, was recognized as the 36th Wing’s Team Andersen Linebacker of the Week, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Oct. 17, 2023. 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 the supervisor of Silver Flag maintenance, Sutton trains and develops four vehicle management technicians and performs scheduled and unscheduled maintenance for three squadrons and 217 assets valued at $38 million. He coordinates maintenance priorities with three vehicle control officials on rapid airfield damage repair, Machete Strike and partner nation exercises. Additionally, Sutton analyzes malfunctions through critical examination and the use of specific diagnostic equipment. Sutton has produced critical triage maintenance repairs with zero cost for 32 vehicles, averting the cancellation of five Silver Flag RADR courses, enabling 530 students to be trained. While filling in as the noncommissioned officer in charge for three months, Sutton directed the transport of 53 assets to the Pacific Regional Training Center – Andersen to expedite maintenance repairs and relocated 27 stranded vehicles, including a derelict piece of equipment restricting the flight line taxi way. “My favorite part of my job is the people I work with,” said Sutton. His drive to assist others has led to the transportation and delivery of four missile defense containers, supporting the U.S. Army’s anti-missile transmission operation and providing base fortification. Furthermore, during Typhoon Mawar recovery, Sutton teamed up with the 554th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers to operate five material handling equipment loaders, clearing two miles of road creating access to PRTC-A and enabling the Federal Emergency Management Agency to deliver six generators for six villages across Guam. “It’s a small career field, so no matter where you go you know someone,” said Sutton. “That makes it fun.” 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, Sutton!