Iceman in Action: Airman 1st Class Christopher Reynolds Jr.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Christopher Reynolds Jr., a 354th Maintenance Squadron nondestructive inspection journeyman, uses an ultraviolet light to find cracks in a part Jan. 6, 2016, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The process takes place by using an oil, and if any cracks are in the part, the oil is drawn into the crack and is seen when he wipes the excess oil away. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cassandra Whitman/Released)

Iceman in Action: Airman 1st Class Christopher Reynolds Jr.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Christopher Reynolds Jr., a 354th Maintenance Squadron nondestructive inspection journeyman, uses a magnifying glass to enhance the x-ray of a part Jan. 6, 2016, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. This is done to better see welds on certain parts to ensure the weld is complete. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cassandra Whitman/Released)

Iceman in Action: Airman 1st Class Christopher Reynolds Jr.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Christopher Reynolds Jr., a 354th Maintenance Squadron nondestructive inspection journeyman, takes a short break Jan. 6, 2016, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Reynolds took initiative to draw the emblem of his career field on their shop wall and is in the process of completing the painting. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cassandra Whitman/Released)

Iceman in Action: Airman 1st Class Christopher Reynolds Jr.

Published Jan. 8, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Cassandra Whitman
354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Rank and Name: Airman 1st Class Christopher L. Reynolds Jr.

Duty Title: Nondestructive inspection journeyman, 354th Maintenance Squadron

Hometown: Merrill, Wisconsin

Why is serving in the Air Force important to you? Serving in the Air Force for me is one of the ways I can honor my family members who are no longer with us and to get a chance to be that much closer to them from shared life experiences. My wife is also a big part of it. For me, I see serving as a chance to make her proud, as well as the experience and educational benefits the Air Force provides me so I can better our life as a family.

What moment or accomplishment as a member of the Iceman Team are you most proud of and why? My proudest moment is getting the honor of being coined by General Russel Handy, the 11th Air Force commander, for being a top 5% Superior Performer during Northern Edge 2015.

What is your favorite part of your job? My favorite parts of my job are the amazing things I get to do every day for the Air Force. There is no end to the new methods that come out to teach us new ways to inspect and find crucial defects that could save an aircraft and lives. Each new method just makes you, as an Airman, want to find out the science behind the theories and put them to use.

Who inspires you and why? I would have to say everyone I have the privilege of working with inspires me. If I really had to pick just one, I would have to pick Tech. Sgt. James Todd. His amount of knowledge in our career field is amazing. My goal is to acquire as much knowledge as him because he sets the standard that every Airman should want to rise too in their respective fields of specialty.

What's your favorite part about being in Alaska? This might sound cheesy (Wisconsin joke) but the amazing part about Alaska for me is being able to see the northern lights hidden behind the towering mountains, the breathtaking night sky with all the stars that, as a child, I never got to see while living in a large city.