JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- The Air Force District of Washington encompasses more than 33,000 Airmen in 1,758 units stationed at 500 locations in 108 countries. AFDW Airmen execute varied missions around the world alongside service members and civilians from different Air Force major commands, joint units and international organizations. AFDW highlights Airmen in these unique missions in its series, “AFDW and You.”
The Airman: Capt. Patrick William Boss is a Wildlife Ecologist at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. He is originally from Connecticut.
The mission: Boss is a Wildlife Ecologist and a science and technology expert supporting the U.S. Air Force’s worldwide Bird/wildlife Strike Hazard (BASH) mishap prevention, or working to prevent human wildlife interactions with regard to aircraft.
The highlights: Working at a headquarters unit that allows changes to have a direct impact on the Air Force-wide mission is not common for a company grade officer. He is constantly challenged and humbled by the reach of this position, and the unique opportunity of being one of three individuals in the Air Force that currently hold this Air Force Specialty Code.
The challenges: Traveling to Africa to collect biological samples with the Smithsonian on an expedition pre-COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, and subsequently having all borders shut down was a new experience for him. He was in constant communication with the U.S. embassy and was able to successfully extricate his team while borders were still shut down. This was truly a lesson in making sure you have a backup to your backup plan, and being ready for the unexpected.
The hobbies: In his spare time, he enjoys surfing, traveling and hiking