Title: Military Technician and In-Flight Refueling Program Manager
Company: Washington Air National Guard
Location: Spokane, Washington, United States
Walter Lee Hinton II, Military Technician and In-Flight Refueling Program Manager at Washington Air National Guard, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Military for dedication, achievements, and leadership in air operations.
With decades of impressive experience to his credit, Mr. Hinton has excelled with the Washington Air National Guard as an in-flight refueling program manager since 2017. A reserve of the U.S. Air Force and part of the U.S. National Guard Bureau, the Washington Air National Guard is the aerial militia for the state of Washington under the jurisdiction of the office of the Washington Adjutant General. Alongside their obligations as a federal reserve of the military, the Washington Air National Guard can be activated by order of the Governor of Washington to provide protection of life and property while preserving peace, order, and public safety during emergencies such as natural disasters, search and rescue operations, and civil defense protocols.
In his current role, Mr. Hinton is responsible for overseeing more than two dozen boom operators, managing air operations, and ensuring the welfare of ground support personnel. He is also noted as an expert and trainer with the 1959 KC-135 Stratotanker, an essential military aircraft utilized primarily in air refueling missions. His expertise in management and air operations has been instrumental in his efforts, establishing him as a leader in his specialty. Additionally, Mr. Hinton has held the position of military technician since 2003, further solidifying his commitment to his field.
Mr. Hinton’s career began with active duty service in the U.S. Air Force from 1994 to 2001, where he honed his skills and developed a deep understanding of military operations while advancing to the rank of master sergeant. His dedication and leadership were recognized when he was acknowledged as the first African American chief boom operator, a milestone that remains one of his most notable achievements and paved the way for his subsequent roles within the Washington Air National Guard. Over the years, Mr. Hinton has been involved in several industry-related organizations benefitting his professional development, including the Career Enlisted Aviators since 2001, the National Association of Guardsmen since 2010, and the Army Sergeants Association since 2010.
Mr. Hinton further supported his ambitions with a formal education at the Community College of the Air Force, a program of Air University in Montgomery, Alabama, from which he obtained an associate’s degree in 2013. He additionally solidified the strong foundation for his career in military operations by completing the Senior NCO Course in 2013 and Joint Professional Military Education II in 2022. In addition to his primary accomplishments, Mr. Hinton has contributed to articles featured in local publications, sharing his insights and experiences with a broader audience.
Mr. Hinton has attributed his success to his effective communication skills, his status as a “people person” and his ability to prioritize people before regulations. Outside of his professional career, he remains incredibly dedicated to his family, including his loving wife, Lisa, and their three wonderful children, Klaire, Braxton, and Carissa. In his spare time, he enjoys a number of physical activities, including snowboarding and boating. Looking toward the future, he hopes to eventually retire from the Washington Air National Guard and shift his attention towards teaching as an aviation instructor so that he may provide his wealth of expertise to the next generation within his industry.
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