THULE AIR BASE, Greenland -- U.S. Air Force MSgt. Kelly Hamilton, 821st Support Squadron, installation management contract officer representative, is Space Base Delta 1’s Outstanding Performer for the month of February.
Since arriving to Thule Air Base in August, Hamilton oversees environmental compliance, transient quarters (156 lodging rooms), and housing for 675 permanent party members across 65 dormitories.
Her responsibilities include coordinating all reservations for inbound travelers to Thule AB and ensuring they have proper accommodations during their stay. She also operates as the Unit Environmental Coordinator managing hazardous materials, pollution prevention, and unit education. In addition, Hamilton serves as team lead for the Environmental System Management - Cross Functional Team, a forum of subject matter experts with the objective to resolve all internal and external environmental inspection findings.
Aside from her primary responsibilities, Hamilton also operates as the only dorm manager for 170 military members, which as she says, “...keeps her quite busy.”
As the current average temperature at Thule AB varies from -19°F to 46°F, it is not safe for personnel to spend any long period of time outside.
“For example, when we are locked indoors due to STORMCONs [storm conditions], we can be confined to our dormitories for 24 hours or more. Our living quarters become our sanctuaries; therefore, I try my best to make our living conditions as comfortable as possible.”
A recent accomplishment Hamilton is proud of is the execution of a major joint operation providing provisions and accommodations for 220 coalition service members during Operation NOBLE DEFENDER. The operation demonstrated collaboration with mission partners and interoperability to defend the entirety of our northern approaches, as well as the necessity of our forces to integrate our efforts to defend North America.
“It has been a long time since Thule has housed such an influx of guests. Many of our lodging facilities were built in the 1960s and could use some renovating, but we were able to safely house all members with only minor hiccups.”
During her free time, Hamilton enjoys challenging herself by setting personal fitness goals in both running and indoor cycling to balance her self-proclaimed love of food. Some of her favorite foods include ethnic dishes and being at the ‘Top of the World’ means she needs to get creative to find the right ingredients and cooking tools to make certain dishes.
“Obviously, there is no Wal-Mart or Target in the local area, so the only items we have must be flown in. We lean on each other to borrow items; however, the challenge makes the final masterpiece dish taste so much better!”
She encourages anyone thinking about volunteering for a short tour to Thule AB saying, “This is one of the few places that no matter what career field you are, you are bound to develop meaningful relationships with nearly everyone. She went on to say, “We laugh, struggle, and grow together, it truly is such a rewarding experience.”
As a last remark, Hamilton said she would like to finish her bachelor's in operations management and is also looking forward to spending valuable time with her family after her tour is complete with one goal in mind, teaching her 4-year-old daughter how to read.