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Tyndall colonel earns Capt. Lance P. Sijan Award for Superior Leadership

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alex Echols
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Lt. Col. James T. Rich, 325th Maintenance Group deputy commander, earned the Capt. Lance P. Sijan Award for Superior Leadership during the 2012 Maintenance and Staff Professionals of the Year banquet in Hangar 1 March 15.

The Rockledge, Fla., native said it was an honor to receive the award. This award recognizes the accomplishments of officer and enlisted leaders assigned at wing level and below who demonstrate the highest qualities of leadership in the performance of their duties and the conduct of their lives.

"I did not win it, the great work of the Airmen who I work with allowed me win this award," Colonel Rich said.

Colonel Rich has been in the Air Force for 19 years and has worked as a mechanical engineer at the F-16 System Program Office, at Warner Robins Air Force Base, Ga. Air Logistics Center, as Deputy Chief of Plant Management and as an Aircraft Battle Damage Repair Engineer.

His favorite part about his job now is guiding the maintenance Airmen.

"Leading the finest maintenance Airmen, generating the World's Finest Air Superiority Pilots, and of course seeing F-22s [Raptors] fly every day," said Colonel Rich.

The MPOY banquet recognizes the achievements of the maintenance group and honors maintenance professionals each year.

The original maintenance professional award was established in 1979 to recognize outstanding performance of direct, sortie-producing maintenance specialists. Support, training and staff personnel make vital contributions to effective sortie production. Tyndall recognized these important professionals in their diversified career fields.

For additional photos from the event, Common Access Card holders can click here.