U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aubree Owens ()
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Audrey Weldy, an Airman Leadership School instructor from the 36th Wing Staff Agencies, was recognized as the 36th Wing’s Team Andersen Linebacker of the Week at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, March 9, 2022.
The Team Andersen Linebacker of the Week recognizes outstanding enlisted, officer, civilian and total force personnel who have had an impact on achieving Team Andersen’s Mission, Vision and Priorities.
Since arriving at Andersen AFB in August of 2020, Weldy started out as a Munitions Inspection Production supervisor with the 36th Munitions Squadron, where she led a team of 15 Airmen. During this time she was vital in determining the serviceability, potential hazards, and deterioration of all received, stored, issued, returned, and shipped munitions of the Air Force’s largest conventional munitions stockpile.
Her diligent work ethic directly led to her being selected as an instructor at Andersen ALS, where she quickly integrated into the team. She graduated from The Enlisted Professional Military Education Instructor Course in November of 2021 and was facilitating her first class three days later.
“My desire to become an ALS instructor was heavily influenced by the different leadership I’ve been given: good, bad, and ugly,” said Weldy. “It is my personal goal to be able to positively influence upcoming supervisors with my experiences and knowledge.”
What she does as an ALS instructor directly correlates to the 36th Wing’s mission by providing guidance and supervisory tools to not only our newest Air Force supervisors, but also our sister service members, in order to go out into the force and lead at the forward edge and beyond. Within her short period of being an instructor, Weldy has already facilitated three classes that included 10 sister service members and 60 Air Force members.
“Her influence prepares our new and upcoming supervisors with the tools to train, equip and execute their responsibilities across the Indo-Pacific Area of Responsibility,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Bekki Swank, commandant of ALS.
Weldy’s involvement at Andersen AFB doesn’t stop between the two squadrons she’s been assigned to. Her commitment to the mission was highlighted when she was elected as the former Secretary (2021) and current Professional Development Committee chair (2022) for the Andersen Network 5/6. She did not stop there! She took her talents to the community as a youth coach for multiple sports across Andersen AFB.
“Community involvement and interaction, with both my peers and families, is something that helps me understand and conform to the environment, which is important being in the military,” said Weldy. “Being a part of multiple organizations and extracurricular activities here has taught me a lot about myself and my approach to things as an Airman and an instructor.”
The term Linebacker is rooted deep within Team Andersen’s history. Operation Linebacker II took place on Dec. 18, 1972, and was the largest number of heavy bomber strikes launched by the U.S. Air Force since the end of World War II. During the operation, B-52s from Andersen flew round-the-clock bombing missions over North Vietnam to destroy major targets in Hanoi and Haiphong in an effort to bring the Democratic Republic of Vietnam back to negotiations.
The recipient will have the opportunity to sign a “Linebacker” football jersey that will be displayed in the Wing Headquarters building.
Way to go, Weldy!
Photo Caption: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Audrey Weldy, an Airman Leadership School instructor from the 36th Wing Staff Agencies, teaches at ALS, which is an entry-level part of what the military calls Professional Military Education and was selected as the Linebacker of the Week at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, March 9, 2022. The Team Andersen Linebacker of the Week recognizes outstanding enlisted, officer, civilian and total force personnel who have had an impact on achieving Team Andersen’s Mission, Vision and Priorities.
