RED HORSE represents with 'Top Performer'

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shane Dunaway
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  An NCO from the 554th RED HORSE Squadron was selected by her first sergeant, Master Sgt. Wesley Willand, as Team Andersen's 'Top Performer.'

Staff Sgt. Elsie Smith, a Guard Airman originally from the 254th Air Base Group and now under the 254th RHS, works as the commander's executive assistant. Some of her day-to-day duties include routing enlisted performance reports to the appropriate raters and flight chief, building slideshow presentations and assisting Airmen in the 554th RHS with government travel card and Defense Travel System issues.

"Staff Sgt. Elsie Smith is a Total Force NCO," Sergeant Willand said. "As the commander's executive assistant, she coordinates all administrative correspondence for Lt. Col Tony. Davit's review. Additionally, she is the primary liaison between the Command Staff and Operations, Logistics and Engineering Flights. All HORSEmen whether Air National Guard or Active Duty see her first when deconflicting schedules and meetings, requesting the commander's endorsement or seeking her expertise on written matters. With Elsie's support our commander can focus on the RED HORSE readiness and construction mission enabling us to deploy - anytime."

Working down the hall from the squadron commander is a unique experience for Sergeant Smith, who has been in the Air Force for six years.

"Working here under 554 with Lt. Col. [Anthony] Davit, there's never a dull moment," Sergeant Smith said. "The work's always interesting - you're always on your toes. It's an exciting job and I've learned a lot working here."

When she's not taking care of the needs of the 554th RHS, Sergeant Smith is hard at work on her Community College of the Air Force degree. She is currently only four classes away from completion. Sergeant Smith also volunteers at her church, assisting with various projects and donating time and resources.

In her time as part of the 554th RHS, Sergeant Smith has taken a keen interest in fitness.

"I've actually improved my run time by two minutes," Sergeant Smith said. "Last year on my PT test, I scored an excellent and I'm really proud of that."

Sergeant Smith, a Guam native, was born in Tamuning and raised in Barrigada. She's had opportunities to go off-island since joining the Air Force, but she hopes for a chance to experience more courtesy of the Air Force.

"I've never seen snow before," Sergeant Smith said. "I'm really hoping for a TDY or deployment to a cold place, where I can actually see snow and [have a chance] to make a snowman or snow angel."

Until that day comes, Sergeant Smith plans to continue to enjoy the sights of Guam with her husband and three children.

"My husband is very proud of me and supports what I do for the Air Force," she said.