March-April 2011 - Youngstown Air Reserve Station

The Next ChapterRetiring 910th AW vice commander says goodbye but keeps eye on skyStaff Sgt. Valerie Smock910th Airlift Wing Public AffairsAsk anyone at Youngstown Air ReserveStation and the answer will likely be the same.“He is very open and engaging,” saidCol. Fritz Linsenmeyer, 910th Airlift WingCommander. “We can bounce ideas off of eachother and he is a real confidant. People can talkto and trust him. His opinion and judgmentspeak volumes.”Those volumes could fill many books ofcompliments about the type of person he is.“He is definitely a people person,always looking out for people,” said ChiefMaster Sergeant Troy K. Rhoades, 910thAW Command Chief Master Sergeant. “Heis definitely a behind-the-scenes person, hedoesn’t relish the lime light. He allows othersto take credit.”That recognition is something he wouldrather instill upon the Airmen he has servedwith.After writing several pages at YARS, Col.Timothy S. Costa, former vice commander ofthe 910th AW, is moving onto the next chapterof his novel — retirement following a 28-yearcareer with the Air Force.During his more than 20 years withthe 910th AW, Colonel Costa served as aTraditional Reservist and most recentlyassisted with the management of the wing.Being a Reservist is much more than just a job,he said.With any job comes challenges and theReserve career requires Airmen to jugglemilitary, family and work. When Colonel Costawas activated to serve overseas, he said he hadto miss many events in his family’s lives.He missed birthdays, anniversaries andhis son Nick’s soccer games. However, he saidhis family was supportive through the entireprocess.“Your family doesn’t mind [thedeployments],” said Colonel Costa. “It’s allpart of the bargain. Melissa and Nick never hadany complaints, even during the deployments.”Mrs. Costa said entering into the militarylifestyle was new for her but they both camefrom the same roots, hometown and ethics.“We knew each other since junior high,”she said. “After high school, we met again inthe month we graduated college. He was beingcommissioned and I was starting my first job.It was coincidental we ended up in the samelocation. We were good friends first and thenwe fell in love and got married.”The Costa’s lives together began with atour of duty at what was formerly known asRhein-Main Air Base, West Germany. He wasCourtesy photoRetired Col. Timothy S. Costa poses for a photograph with his wife, Melissa, and son, Nick, during theholiday season. Colonel Costa retired recently after serving for more than 20 years at 910th Airlift Wing.‘You never know what directionyour next opportunity will come from.’—Col. Timothy S. Costaan Adverse Weather Aerial Delivery System(AWADS) Instructor Navigator while his wifeworked at the base education center.“It was a learning curve,” Mrs. Costasaid. “It was new to both of us, but I had greatresources and great friends. We were all in ittogether.”Many years later, this curve is now bendingin a different direction. Colonel Costa will nolonger be a Reservist, but will continue his jobon the civilian side, working with the FederalAviation Administration at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport control tower.Photo by Master Sgt. Bob Barko Jr.“Through active duty, through making thedecision to get off active duty, to serving as aReservist, they were all wonderful chapters,”Mrs. Costa said. “We’re ready to start the nextchallenge.”Although Colonel Costa is movingforward, he leaves the Wing with some partingadvice.“You should always prepare for the nextstep,” he said. “You can’t always be stagnant.Whether you’re working on another degree,it’s broadening you out. A lot of what we dois short notice. So we’re always preparing.You never know what direction your nextopportunity will come from.”Being prepared is what has helpedColonel Costa leave his footprint at YARS andeventually reach this point in his career.“We’re all going to miss Colonel Costaand we appreciate his devotion to the 910th,”said Colonel Linsenmeyer. “One door closesand another one opens. It’s another chapter inhis life. He’s not going far. It’ll be nice to hearhis voice on the radio.”While the Reserve mission for ColonelCosta may be complete, his other journeytakes off. For now, Mr. Costa will watch overYARS from the tower, looking after plane,after plane, after plane.Col. Fritz Linsenmeyer, 910th Airlift WingCommander, (right) presents retiring vicecommander Col. Timothy S. Costa with an awardFeb. 5 at the Headquarters building. ColonelCosta was awarded for his 20 years of service asa Traditional Reservist with the 910th Airlift Wing.4www.youngstown.afrc.af.mil