AFE puts service before self, creates face masks for base members

Members of the 97th Operations Support Squadron, Air Crew Flight Equipment (AFE) flight, assemble face masks for base members, April 6, 2020 at Altus Air Force Base Oklahoma. AFE and other base volunteers have been working to assemble face masks for individuals who work in areas that make it difficult to maintain proper social distancing to prevent the spread of disease. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kenneth W. Norman)

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Terrance Murphy, Superintendent of Air Crew Flight Equipment (AFE) assigned to the 97th Operations Support Squadron, cuts fabric for assembling face masks for base members, April 6, 2020 at Altus Air Force Base Oklahoma. Cloth face masks and coverings are not a replacement for Personal Protective Equipment and are meant to be an additional measure for personnel to take to mitigate the risk of the spread of COVID-19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kenneth W. Norman)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Gutsch, the Assistant Flight chief of Air Crew Flight Equipment (AFE) assigned to the 97th Operations Support Squadron, prepares materials for making face masks for base members, April 6, 2020 at Altus Air Force Base Oklahoma. The AFE flight volunteered to use their equipment and skills in order to help create face masks for base personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kenneth W. Norman)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Skye Perry, an Air Crew Flight Equipment (AFE) craftsman assigned to the 97th Operations Support Squadron, trims threads off of face masks for base members, April 6, 2020 at Altus Air Force Base Oklahoma. Per the Secretary of Defense’s new guidelines, cloth face masks or coverings are required for individuals who work in areas that make it hard to maintain proper social distancing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kenneth W. Norman)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Gutsch, the Assistant Flight chief of Air Crew Flight Equipment (AFE) assigned to the 97th Operations Support Squadron, prepares materials for making face masks for base members, April 6, 2020 at Altus Air Force Base Oklahoma. The face masks being assembled by AFE are made from a combination of donated materials and materials obtained through official processes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kenneth W. Norman)

Dan Rodriguez, an Air Crew Flight Equipment (AFE) repairman with the 97th Operations Support Squadron, sews face masks for base members, April 6, 2020 at Altus Air Force Base Oklahoma. According to the Secretary of Defense's guidance, face coverings worn by uniformed military members will be conservative in nature and will not diminish professional military appearance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kenneth W. Norman)

U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Luis Mora, an Air Crew Flight Equipment (AFE) apprentice assigned to the 97th Operations Support Squadron, folds face masks for base members, April 6, 2020 at Altus Air Force Base Oklahoma. The use of cloth face masks and coverings is meant to slow the spread of disease and the Center for Disease Control encourages individuals to wear one when proper social distancing cannot be maintained. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kenneth W. Norman)

U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Luis Mora, an Air Crew Flight Equipment (AFE) apprentice assigned to the 97th Operations Support Squadron, folds face masks for base members, April 6, 2020 at Altus Air Force Base Oklahoma. The use of a cloth face mask or covering is being directed as an additional level of protection and does not negate the importance of maintaining proper social distancing when possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kenneth W. Norman)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Robert Whisenhunt, the Flight chief of Air Crew Flight Equipment (AFE) assigned to the 97th Operations Support Squadron, sews face masks for base members, April 6, 2020 at Altus Air Force Base Oklahoma. Whisenhunt had the idea to use the equipment and skills of the AFE flight to assemble protective face masks for base members that work in close proximity with others and are required to wear masks based on a new directive from the Secretary of Defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kenneth W. Norman)

U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Luis Mora, an Air Crew Flight Equipment (AFE) apprentice assigned to the 97th Operations Support Squadron, irons face masks for base members, April 6, 2020 at Altus Air Force Base Oklahoma. The Secretary of Defense issued a statement requiring the wearing of cloth face coverings when individuals are unable to maintain proper social distancing and is an enhanced mitigation protocol for combating the spread of COVID-19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kenneth W. Norman)

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. - U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Gutsch, the assistant flight chief of Air Crew Flight Equipment (AFE) assigned to the 97th Operations Support Squadron, irons face masks for base members, April 6, 2020 at Altus Air Force Base Oklahoma. AFE began assembling face masks with donated materials to provide them to Airmen who must work in close proximity with others and cannot maintain proper social distancing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kenneth W. Norman)