Major works hard at preparing warriors

  • Published
  • By Capt. Morgan J. O'Brien III
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFPN) --  Sport and business have long had a strong working relationship.

Maj. Michael Ternus, 377th Logistics Readiness Squadron operations officer, exemplifies this relationship -- albeit as an unconventional businessman in an unconventional sport.

The major is the current national master's super heavyweight weightlifting champ. Masters weightlifting is the Olympic sport of weightlifting for people 35 or older.

But getting in a workout was not always easy. Because he needs a place to work out "where people wouldn't go nuts" when conducting a routine that involves dropping nearly 450 pounds on the gym floor, Major Ternus uses the pararescue school’s gym here for his specialized training.

"As an Olympic weightlifter, it's virtually impossible to find places to train," Major Ternus said.

On the job, the major uses the unique aspects of his sport to both strengthen his body and prepare Airmen for the demands of their mission.

"Right now, I have five vehicle operators on convoys in Iraq getting shot at, and I'm about to send five more. So we need to always keep our focus on training and preparation,” he said.

In return for using their gym, Major Ternus agreed to work as a strength training adviser at the school. The deal went one step further when some of the pararescuemen agreed to train Major Ternus' Airmen.

"Our instructors have offered to train some of the major's Airmen (who) are deploying in the next few months," said Chief Master Sgt. Everett Evans, commandant of the Air Force Pararescue Combat Rescue Officer School. "Instruction offered will be shooting, tactical weapon techniques and movement under fire."

The major is no stranger to special operators.

A logistician who has spent the last four years supporting special operators ranging from Army Special Forces to Navy SEALs in the war on terrorism, Major Ternus has logged two tours in Afghanistan, three in Iraq and a short tour in Horn of Africa.

"As a special forces logistician, you're expected to make it happen, excuses aren't highly thought of," Major Ternus said. "When you have troops in contact, there's nothing worse in the world than being a logistician and hearing a (special forces) detachment call in the middle of a firefight and say that they're running out of ammo. If that doesn't convince you to make things happen, I don't know what will."

Major Ternus has a well-earned reputation as a man who gets things done.

"He's one of those guys that you know expects a lot," said Capt. Tim Pertuis, executive officer for the 377th Air Base Wing commander and a former officer training school flight commander with Major Ternus. "He lives the core values and expects his people to give 110 percent to the job because the mission is just that important." (Courtesy of Air Force Materiel Command News Service)