2W1X1 Weapons Load Citations
Technical Sergeant Steven R. Sliger distinguished himself by meritorious service while assigned as Weapons Load Crew Chief, 140th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 140th Maintenance Group, Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colorado, from XXXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXXX. During this period, Sergeant Sliger's outstanding weapons loading abilities, professional attitude, and devotion to duty contributed immeasurably to the wing's loading capabilities. During numerous higher headquarters inspections, he demonstrated the ability to perform flawless loading operations while operating under the most difficult and austere conditions. His superior knowledge of the F-16 weapons system aided in identifying problem areas in loading operations and established new training procedures for the GBU-38 GPS guided munitions, GBU-12 laser guided munitions, AIM-9X, and BRU-57. This, coupled with the improvements he suggested in the Weapons Loading Crew Training program, greatly improved the overall mission effectiveness and combat readiness of the wing. His technical approach was critical to the success of numerous deployments to include Operations NOBLE EAGLE and IRAQI FREEDOM. The singularly distintive accomplishments of Sergeant Sliger reflect great credit upon himself, the Colorado Air National Guard and the United States Air Force.
Technical Sergeant John C. Wallner distinguished himself by meritorious service while assigned as Weapons Expediter, 332d Aircraft Maintenence Squadron, 332d Wing, Kandahar Air Base, Kandahar, Afghanistan. During this period, the professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Sergeant Wallner contributed to the effectiveness and success of MQ-9 Reaper operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. As the lead Weapons expeditor, Sergeant Wallner provided direction during the generation of 277 combat sorties that resulted in thirteen GBU-12 launches and the elimination of five IED emplacers. In addition, while performing an aircraft munitions post-load inspection, Sergeant Wallner identified an activated Battery Firing Device on a GBU-12 bomb and quickly took the necessary measures to safely remove the bomb from the aircraft. Sergeant Wallner's rapid reaction and outstanding professional skill averted potential damage to Air Force equipment and injury to personnel. Finally, his development of a locally produced munitions transport cart improved operations and was adopted by the Air Force as a new standard. The distinctive accomplishments of Technical Sergeant Wallner reflect credit upon himself, the 332d Aircraft Maintenence Squadron, and the United States Air Force.
Technical Sergeant Andrew A. Apsley distinguished himself by outstanding achievement as Weapons Load Crew Member, 169th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 169th Fighter Wing, McEntire Air National Guard Station, South Carolina, from XXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXXX. During this high visibility event, Technical Sergeant Apsley played a key role in winning the weapons loading competition by loading an AIM-120C and an AIM-9X in one minute and fifty-seven seconds with zero discrepancies. His tireless efforts and relentless pursuit of perfection drove his crew to set a new Falcon Air Meet record for the weapons loading competition. Sergeant Apsley's hard work and dedication earned a perfect score for maintenance for the 169th Fighter Wing and went on to win the overall competition, becoming the first ever American team to win the Falcon Air Meet. The distinctive accomplishments of Technical Sergeant Apsley reflect credit upon himself, the 169th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Staff Sergeant Jason D. Tinsley distinguished himself by meritorious service while assigned as Weapons Load Team Chief, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Group, 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana from XXXXX XXXXX to XXXXX XXXXX. During this period, the outstanding professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Sergeant Tinsley resulted in major contributions to the effectiveness and success of the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. Sergeant Tinsley developed a shop troubleshooting log which reduced errors and repair times by 30 percent, saving over 100 man hours per month. Additionally, Sergeant Tinsley was a key factor in the success of Exercise Prairie Vigilance, filling a short notice gap and loading 168 AGM-86/Bs with a 99 percent missile pass rate. Finally, Sergeant Tinsley configured five aircraft with zero discrepancies and loaded 25 MK-82s and 13 GBU-31s in a local Conventional Operational Readiness Exercise. His efforts led to an Excellent rating for the 2nd Bomb Wing and his selection as the 2nd Maintenance Group's Maintenance Professional of the Year. The distintive accomplishments of Sergeant Tinsley reflect great credit upon himself, the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and the United States Air Force.
Technical Sergeant Terry K. Lehman distinguished himself by outstanding achievement as F-16 Weapons Expediter, 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 388th Maintenance Group, 388th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, from XXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXXX. During this period, as a key player in Air Expeditionary Force preparation, Sergeant Lehman post loaded four bombs during Exercise GREEN FLAG East at Barksdale Air Force Base, resulting in a 100 percent release rate and facilitating pilot upgrade training required for combat operations. Additionally, Sergeant Lehman coordinated munitions movements during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and supported 1,300 sorties and 5,000 flying hours, providing immediate response to a variety of enemy threats and the destruction of six insurgent weapons caches. Moreover, while under constant threat of rocket and mortar attack, during Operation DRAGON PURSUIT, Sergeant Lehman post loaded six guided bombs, resulting in a 100 percent release rate and the destruction of an explosive laden village. Finally, Sergeant Lehman directed over fifty munitions loading operations for six aircraft in support of Operation NOBLE EAGLE in less than twelve hours, providing uninterrupted protection for the President of the United States. The distinctive accomplishments of Technical Sergeant Lehman reflect great credit upon himself, the 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the United States Air Force.
