MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Staff Sgt. Andrew Bartley is a bioenvironmental engineering specialist for the 167th Medical Group and the 167th Airlift Wing’s Airman Spotlight for November 2022.
As a bioenvironmental engineering specialist, Bartley is responsible for reducing health hazards for personnel and their work environments. This can mean detecting radioactive materials, checking for pollutants in drinking water, and ensuring safe industrial hygiene conditions.
Bartley joined the 167th Airlift Wing after spending six years on active duty. Soon after joining the wing he supported the West Virginia National Guard’s COVID response efforts through the pandemic. Bartley completed technical training then returned to the “BEE Hive” or bioenvironmental engineering office where his prior aircraft maintenance background proved to be invaluable as he standardized the Occupational Health Program, explained Master Sgt. Justin Bird, the non-commissioned officer in charge of bioenvironmental engineering at the 167th.
“He has been a tremendous asset to our shop and an unbelievable team member. His intellectual ability to comprehend difficult tasks and apply the knowledge to keep members safe is critical to our programs and saves lives at the 167th AW,” said Bird.
Hometown: Inwood, WV
Job Title: Bioenvironmental Engineering
How long have you served in the unit? I have served a little over 2 years in the unit. I was previously active duty for 6 years as an Avionics Systems Specialist for the F-22 working for the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base.
How does your job support the 167th's mission? My job supports the 167th’s mission by assessing all radiological, chemical, and bacteriological hazards that may be present in certain workplaces and making sure that people do not get injured or sick.
Civilian job: Wiring Specialist Contractor for Northrop Grumman and NASA
Education: Through my two careers I have over 70 credits towards Electrical and Environmental Engineering degrees.
Hobbies: spending time with family, Fishing, football, basketball, and video games.
Goals (military and/or civilian): My goal is to finish my Environmental Engineering degree within the next few years and to keep working and learning in my current career path as a bioenvironmental engineer.
I am proudest of: My beautiful wife Hannah for supporting me all these years and our two little boys Blake and Drew.
People may be surprised to know this about me: I have been deployed two times in my active duty career and have visited five foreign countries.
The most exciting thing I've done in the military is: Being able to fully run up an F-22 and tag and identify other aircraft that were flying overhead. Also, I would have to say visiting so many foreign places and cultures.
One/Some of the most valuable lessons I've learned throughout my career: Somedays may be very challenging, but anything worth doing usually is.
My advice to the newest Airmen in the Wing: Always do the right thing even when no one is looking, go that extra step to get the job done, but don’t let your job take over your personal life.
The best thing about working with my team is: The best thing about working in the medical group is that there are so many different people coming together and sharing stories and advice about the military and life in general.