JACKSONVILLE, N.C. -- U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ian Chryst, an Air Traffic Controller with Air Traffic Control (ATC) Headquarters & Headquarters Support, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, is the MCAS New River’s Go-Getter of the month. Sgt. Chryst, a Charlotte, North Carolina native, enlisted as an Air Traffic Control Trainee, graduating from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island on Nov. 21, 2014.
“I wanted a challenge and purpose for my future,” said Chryst.
“After meeting with a Marine Corps recruiter, I knew I had stepped into the right office. He presented me with a sense of purpose and pride in life that I was looking for that I knew only the Marine Corps could offer.”
After four months of schooling at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, Chryst graduated from his schoolhouse course in Aug. 2015, arriving at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, ATC, Headquarters & Headquarters Support Battalion, where he obtained his tower qualifications. Chryst left Kaneohe in Feb. 2019.
Chryst was promoted to Sergeant on Aug. 1, 2019, and was later attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, where he deployed to aid the evacuation efforts of the Afghan people in Kabul in Operation Allies Refuge.
“I was a part of the controlling agency for all the aircrafts coming in and out of Kabul,” said Chryst. “It was extremely hectic and the busiest air traffic that I have ever seen, but being a part of it is now something that I take pride in and has been one of my biggest accomplishments so far.”
In Feb. 2022, Chryst arrived at MCAS New River. He is currently the Crew Chief for Bravo Crew. He constantly mentors and ensures the well-being of his Marines, while also being responsible for the administration, supervision, and training of the personnel on his crew.
“Chryst is responsible for roughly twenty-four Marines while also showing phenomenal MOS proficiency consistently,” said Master Sgt. Kevin W. Haunschild, ATC staff non-commissioned officer in charge (SNCOIC), H&HS, MCAS New River, “He is a natural born leader, he's filling the billet of crew chief as a sergeant that is normally filled by a staff non-commissioned officer."