Fabrication Shop Citations

Fabrication Flight Chief

Master Sergeant John M. Tackett distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Fabrication Flight Chief, 36th Maintenance Squadron, 36th Maintenance Group, 36th Wing, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. During this period, Sergeant Tackett contributed immeasurably to the mission success of the 36th Wing when he integrated 90 deployed personnel into the Fabrication Flight. Utilizing his leadership and managerial skills, his flight completed over 3,600 aircraft repairs in direct support of over 5800 Air Expeditionary Force sorties. Additionally, Sergeant Tackett piloted preparations for the 36th Maintenance Squadron's Logistics Compliance Assessment Program inspection. His meticulous evaluation of 75 programs ensured compliance and garnered an excellent rating from the Pacific Air Force Inspector General inspection team. Furthermore, he diligently led the restoration of 216 Aerospace Ground Equipment units, reducing shop backlog by fifty percent and raising the Aerospace Ground Equipment in-commission rate to an unprecedented 92 percent. Finally, his sound duty performance and initiative prompted his unanimous selection as the Squadron's Senior Non Commissioned Officer of the year 2009. The distinguished accomplishments of Master Sergeant Tackett reflect credit upon himself, the 36th Maintenance Squadron and the United States Air Force.

Fabrication Flight Chief

Senior Master Sergeant Patrick Thompson distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States while assigned to 439th Maintenance Squadron from X October XXXX to XX XXXXXXX 2013. During this period, the outstanding professional skills, leadership, and ceaseless effort of Senior Master Sergeant Thompson resulted in major contributions to the Metals Technology Element. He proved himself to be a most valuable asset during one of the largest Air Force Reserve Command's Unit Compliance Inspections. By applying his tremendous experience, knowledge, and keen attention to detail, he helped lead the Fabrication Flight to an end result of zero critical findings with total write-ups being reduced by 25%. Additionally, he utilized his extreme technical expertise to manufacture over 100 intricate under floor brackets, for the C5-A aircraft, during multiple Isochronal Inspections. Furthermore, he accomplished this while continuing to provide critical support to the Metals Technology Element, while 30% of his fellow technicians were TDY. His display of unwavering dedication and willingness to work past his normal duty day ensured successful repairs and consistently leading to timely rollouts of the aircraft. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Thompson reflect great credit upon and the United States Air Force.

Fabrication Shop Supervisor

Master Sergeant Fred Cadena Jr distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Fabrication Shop Supervisor, 163d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 163d Reconnaissance Wing, March Air Reserve Base, California. During this period, the outstanding professional skill, dedication, and ceaseless efforts of Sergeant Cadena resulted in major contributions to the effectiveness and success of the 163d Reconnaissance Wing. Sergeant Cadena utilized a vast breadth of technical knowledge and aircraft experience to maintain and repair complex aircraft structural systems, thus ensuring the airworthiness and mission effectiveness of the Wing's legacy fleet of O2, F-4C, F-4E, RF-4C, KC-135E, and KC-135R Stratotankers. Additionally, as Fabrication Flight Supervisor, Sergeant Cadena was a central figure in the unit's successful conversion to the MQ-1B Predator weapons system. Sergeant Cadena's breadth of experience and adept coordination enabled the establishment and sustainment of MQ-1B Remote Split Operation and Launch and Recovery Element operations. These actions directly led to over 74,000 combat flying hours as well as the 163d being the very first Air National Guard Unmanned Aerial System unit to fly a training sortie in the United States. Moreover, Sergeant Cadena was absolutely vital to the success of real-world contingency operations such as OPERATION TEAM SPIRIT, JOINT FORGE, TANDUM THRUST, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, and NEW DAWN. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Cadena culminate an outstanding career in service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself, the Air National Guard, and the United States Air Force.

Fabrication Specialist

Technical Sergeant Erika L. Serrano distinguished herself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States while assigned to the 163d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. During this period, the outstanding professional skill, dedication, and ceaseless efforts of Sergeant Serrano resulted in major contributions to the effectiveness and success of the 163d Reconnaissance Wing. As a Fabrication Specialist, Sergeant Serrano's composite repair of 20 damaged MQ-1B Predator tailboards in support of Formal Training Unit operations resulted in 189 MQ-1B Predator aircrews trained. In addition, Sergeant Serrano displayed expert coordination abilities while orchestrating a multi-million dollar Fabrication Shop Relocation Plan integrating modern composite repair with strict Air Force standards. During an A-4 manning document assessment, she played a central role in establishing accurate manning requirements for all Air National Guard Predator Units. As a standout technician, her timely repair of a wire chaffing Time Compliance Technical Order averted multiple sortie cancellations preserving Formal Training Unit graduation rates. Serving as a lead coordinator, she consistently demonstrated first-class service working after hours delivering exceptional products for over 30 significant ceremonies. Her active community volunteer involvement cotributed to the success of: The Girls Scouts of America, Read Across America Campaign, and Stock that Box Hunger Program. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Serrano reflect great credit upon herself, the Air National Guard, and the United States Air Force.

Fabrication Flight Chief

Master Sergeant Richard B Keesling distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Fabrication Flight Chief, 2d Airlift Squadron, 43d Airlift Group, Pope Field, North Carolina. During this period, Sergeant Keesling identified a technical data deficiency inhibiting the manufacture and install of C-130 ramp mount bushings. He coordinated with Air Logistic Center engineers to come up with a one-time fix and then followed up by submitting an AFTO 22 to prevent future occurrences which was approved and implemented on all U.S. Air Force C-130s. In addition, he designed a local manufacturing technique for non-procurable C-130 nose landing gear door brackets. This force multiplying process produced immediate results, correcting grounding conditions on six aircraft as well as backfilling the supply system by producing 13 serviceable spares, filling a fleet wide back-log. Finally, he stood up the 440th Maintenance Squadron's maintenance production office, leading to improved coordination amongst the flights and between MXS and AMXS, directly contributing to Maintenance Group's unprecedented 97.5 percent maintenance scheduling effectiveness and the mission capability rate increase of 18 percent increase to 87 percent, its highest ever level. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Keesling reflect great credit upon himself, the 2d Airlift Squadron and the United States Air Force.