Airlifter Frost: Just warming up

  • Published
  • By Airman Jared Lovett
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

An Airman from the 86th Operations Support Squadron was named Airlifter of the Week June 10, 2021, for his outstanding display of leadership and innovation.

Staff Sgt. Raphael Frost, noncommissioned officer in charge of aircrew flight equipment, streamlines the way that AFE issues equipment, making it faster for the aircrew to get what they need when they need it.

“He's taken knowledge from his previous assignment in Kunsan, and jumped into innovating our current processes and improving them in making them more efficient by applying their processes to our own,” said Capt. Riley Snowden, 37th Airlift Squadron flight commander.

Frost currently works as the supervisor over four sections at AFE.

Since arriving at Ramstein, Frost has excelled as a leader by drawing from his experience at Kunsan Air Base, Korea, working on F-16s.

“He’s always stepping up to make sure he’s leading by example, in addition to the fact that he’s never just sitting around,” said Snowden. “He's always looking for a way to get involved, whether that’s taking care of equipment or training Airmen.”

Frost, a Chicago native, also enjoys using his time mentoring younger Airmen on things he wishes he knew when he joined the military.

“He takes it above and beyond, working with young Airmen,” said Master Sgt. Ashley Spencer, AFE superintendent. “Teaching them how to cook and making sure they have all of their needs met with being so young and just leaving home.”

After enduring a couple of injuries during training years ago, Frost was motivated to gain a better understanding of how to take better care of his body.

With hopes of earning his Master’s Degree in Health and Sports Science this year, Frost wants to share this knowledge about healthy living with Airmen so that they don’t make the same mistakes he made in the past.

“I love fitness,” said Frost. “I want everybody to be fit, and I think it’s better for people to know how to cook because it helps them save money and it's good for their health.”

Frost's goal for the future is to commission as a physical therapist to better help Airmen with their health.

“This is his passion, and he lets nothing stand in the way of that,'' said Spencer. “To help himself and others is his drive.”