Thirteen days after graduation, he began his Air Force career by entering Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. After six fun filled weeks of basic, he was off to Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas for training as an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist.
Amn Mabe reported to Holloman AFB, New Mexico for his first duty station in October 1978. There he went through Field Training and what is now known as hot training on the F-15A and B model aircraft. He was then assigned to the 49th Equipment Maintenance Squadron as a phase inspection member. While assigned to Holloman AFB, he met his future wife, Tammy and they were married at a little white church in Alamogordo, NM.
In February 1982, SrA Mabe was ordered to Korea. There he was assigned at Osan Air Base, 51st Aircraft Generation Squadron, working on the OV-10 aircraft. He spent twelve exciting months there as a crew chief, including numerous exercises and Temporary Duties to the Philippines and Japan.
After returning to the US, Sgt Mabe was ordered to Langley AFB, Virginia, where he became a member of the 1st AGS, 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, as a F-15 crew chief. His first aircraft was 76-111. He made Staff Sergeant while assigned to Langley and was put in charge of the servicing crew on the late shift. SSgt Mabe volunteered for and was accepted as a member of the Tactical Air Command Air Demonstration Team. This team performed demonstrations at Air Shows from Florida to Canada. SSgt Mabe spent 2 years on this team.
In November of 1985, SSgt Mabe was sent overseas for the 2nd time, but this time to Europe, specifically, Leipheim AB, Germany. This base was the home to Detachment 2 of the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Bentwaters. A-10 aircraft were flown from this location and SSgt Mabe began his tour as a crew chief. He was later given the responsibility of being the detachment Training NCO and later became a Quality Assurance Inspector.
Four very short years later, TSgt Mabe made his way back to Langley AFB, Virginia and became an expeditor for the 27th Tactical Fighter Squadron, exactly where he left off four years earlier. Ten months after arriving at Langley for the 2nd time, TSgt Mabe and the rest of his squadron departed for Saudi Arabia and Operation Desert Shield/Storm. After spending almost 8 months in the desert, TSgt Mabe returned to Langley as the Inspection Dock Chief for the 27th TFS.
The 27th returned to Saudi Arabia in the summer of 1993 for Operation Southern Watch, guarding the skies over southern Iraq. TSgt Mabe was the NCOIC of the Inspection Section. Upon returning to the US, TSgt Mabe was informed that he had been selected for Recruiting Duty in Asheville, North Carolina.
TSgt Mabe began his recruiting career by going through the course held at Lackland AFB, TX, where he was the Distinguished Honor Graduate. He began his recruiting duty in April 1994, covering 7 and ½ counties in western North Carolina. He was at this duty station when he was promoted to Master Sergeant.
In November 1997, MSgt Mabe departed North Carolina for Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. There he was the Flight Supervisor for the CAMS Section, 391st Fighter Squadron.
MSgt Mabe retired in July 1998. He spent a brief period as a Loaned Executive for the Buncombe County United Way and began his teaching career at Enka High School in Air Force JROTC in January 1999.
MSgt Mabe received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Montreat College. He is working towards a Masters Degree in Education at this time. He is married and has one son, Boone.
