TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Staff Sgt. Germaine Graham, Tech. Sgt. Erin Nitzel, and Staff Sgt. Nick Lucas are the most recent additions to the 513th Air Control Group safety office.
Staff Sgt. Germaine Graham is a veteran of the 507th Civil Engineering Squadron and, later, the 513th Maintenance Squadron Supply Flight.
“I believe in keeping people safe,” said the native of Lawton, Oklahoma. “I want to ensure people can do their best and return home safely to their families. It may sound cheesy, but that’s what all safety staff work for. Reinforcing the safety culture is something everyone can do and I’m happy to do my part to keep that culture moving forward.” Graham and his wife live in Oklahoma City and are expecting twins this fall.
Tech. Sgt. Erin Nitzel completed 14 years of active duty as a Cardiopulmonary Laboratory specialist before becoming a military training leader. The Calumet, Oklahoma, native said taking care of people has always been a core concept of her life.
“A lot of my identity is as an American Airman,” she said. “It’s more than my job; it’s been a big part of my life. My husband and I have two boys, ages three and four, and I want them to be proud of me and to set a good example for them.” Nitzel is currently working towards her bachelor’s degree through Southern Nazarene University.
Staff Sgt. Nick Lucas is a former communications technician from the 552nd Air Control Wing. Having served 10 years of active duty time, his civilian job is systems analyst in the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex for the AWACS E-3 Engineering Directorate. After separating from the 552nd ACW, six months later, Lucas said he felt “something was missing.”
“You don’t realize what you have until you see something different and feel that you’re missing out on something,” Lucas said. “I missed being part of the Air Force. It’s the foundation to build a life that matters. Six months later, I like being a Thumper.”