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SrA Kyle Gaffey: “The more options you have, the more power you have”

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alex Mercer
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of spotlight interviews featuring various Cannon Commandos.

Senior Airman Kyle Gaffey, 73rd Special Operations Squadron AC-130W Stinger II special missions aviator, has served as a subject matter expert during integration exercises with Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance assets; helped establish future combat capability by flying trainable gun mount software test and evaluation missions, resulting in subsequent modifications to deployed aircraft; and spent 29 hours providing general knowledge instruction to 23 aircrew members, ensuring combat readiness across two Air Force Specialty Codes while stationed at Cannon.

The 23-year-old Wilmington, Massachusetts, native would let you know that prior to enlisting he had never ventured beyond his pocket of the east coast, but has since had the world open up to him.

So up until that point, you had never really left home?
Surprisingly no, but now I have been lucky enough to travel all over the place. I have been to nearly half the states in the U.S., and about seven different countries – Washington State is probably among my favorite places so far.

Is travel what motivated you to join the Air Force?
Originally I was actually leaning toward Army; the Air Force recruiter pulled me in one day and got me excited with information about flying and seeing the world.

And when did you decide to enlist?
In 2011; I had just left college, where I was studying emergency management and homeland security. I tried working other jobs, but I hit a point when I wanted to be doing something truly meaningful with my life.

I know you are a special missions aviator; in simple terms, what does that entail?
It is almost a cross between loadmaster and aerial gunner; we operate and maintain weapons systems on AC-130Ws, and act as loadmasters for cargo and passengers.

Do you enjoy what you do?
I love it!

Why?
It is not like every other job; I get to leave the office environment and fly aircraft that pack force. It is a very crew-oriented aircraft, meaning there are so many components that everyone has to work together in order to accomplish our mission – it is the essence of team work.

What about Cannon… are you happy being stationed here?
I will be honest… before I got here, I was not. However, it is all about who you meet and become family with that makes any life experience better. The people I know and work alongside with, and the friends I have made make this assignment great.

Is Cannon your first assignment?
Yes it is.

Well then besides the obvious choice [Cannon], what would be your dream assignment?
I legitimately do not know where I would want to go. Everything regarding my job changes based on location. Dream assignment… if I could somehow bring a gunship to Australia I would not be mad about that!

What might people be surprised to learn about you?
That I cook… for some reason people assume I do not know how to use a stove.

The last time you laughed really hard, what were you laughing at?
[Laughs] Let me think of something appropriate…. Before I came here to be interviewed today, one of my buddies was imitating me answering questions from you like Will Ferrell in “Talladega Nights;” answering questions and not knowing what to do with my hands.

Aside from what you are doing now, if you could pick any other career, what would you want to be doing?
I have not given that much thought because I genuinely love what I am doing now right here.

What is the best career advice you have received and who gave it to you?
An aircraft commander once told me, “You should always have options; you should never be forced to stick to one thing; the more options you have the more power you have.” I think about that often.

When you are not working, what are you doing?
I am either at the gym keeping fit, at home watching Netflix or reading.

Who or what inspires you?
I would say my dad; he has always pushed me to do my best in anything I try. He taught me everything from right and wrong to just being a decent person.

Also, knowing that no matter what we do, no matter how big or small, it is helping someone in some way – someone always benefits from the work we are doing in the Air Force and here in Air Force Special Operations Command.

Where do you see yourself a year from now?
I will probably still be here and hopefully I will have acquired more knowledge and experience pertaining to my job – ideally I will also be passing that knowledge along to help others grow.

What is one of the most amazing things or opportunities the Air Force has given you?
Sitting here doing an interview for one thing, that is definitely a first for me. Also, being able to fly across the world with an amazing group of individuals I never would have met otherwise.

Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?
Always remember that you are given everything you need to succeed; it all depends on what you do with it. You build your own path and you get back what you put in. I believe hard work, dedication to our country, and high-performance will steer any Air Commando in a positive direction while they serve the Air Force – that is where my focus lies.

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