SAILOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Name: MM2 Tiffany Thaxton Department: AIMD Hometown: Blytheville, Arkansas

Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachment is just one of the many tenant commands here at Naval Air Station Sigonella (NASSIG). AIMD’s purpose is to support and repair aviation components and support equipment. They service the locks cards and Nitrogen and O2 carts for the pilots and equipment out on the flight line. AIMD itself has broken down into many shops, and in one of those shops there is one Sailor that has really stood out to her leadership. That Sailor is Machinists Mate 2nd Class Tiffany Thaxton, a Blytheville, Arkansas native.

“I originally was going to school to be a teacher,” said Thaxton. “After I decided that is not what I wanted to do, I remembered as a kid I wanted to join the Navy, so that’s what I did.”

Thaxton is leaving in March, so she has already passed on most of her collateral duties. She was an Aviators Breathing Oxygen (ABO) Manager, where they tested and sampled aviation air tanks. ABO managers play a critical and vital role in ensuring the safety of our pilots. She also volunteered as a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate, as well as a suicide prevention program representative, focusing on wellbeing of those around her.

NASSIG is Thaxton’s second tour in the Navy and she doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon. Right now she is focusing on being a Recruit Division Commander (RDC) and advancing to first class petty officer. Her long term goal is to become a Limited Duty Officer.

The schooling for RDC is a 13-weeklong, challenging, hands-on training course which teaches future RDC’s the needed skills to do the job efficiently. There is one week of indoctrination and 12 weeks of curriculum along with shadow time.

Prior to arriving at NASSIG, Thaxton was stationed aboard the nuclearpowered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) for five years and conducted two deployments while aboard the ship.

During her time here in Sigonella She has completed two USMAPS courses and received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Thaxton’s favorite part about being stationed on NASSIG is the travel and experience. She says it’s an opportunity that she never expected to have.

“I didn’t do as much traveling as I wanted to,” said Thaxton. “But we still got the chance to go to some pretty great places like Venice, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Bari and Pompeii.”

In addition to the many travel opportunities, there are also a lot of local activities that Sicily offers. Thaxton has enjoyed exploring the island and mainland Italy during her time here.

“I think my favorite spot that we visited was probably Bari,” said Thaxton. “They had these little hut like houses that were just so beautiful.”