Tyndall sergeant earns Mission Ready Airman Instructor of the Year award Published March 21, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Tyndall Staff Sgt. Joshua Schlichting, 372nd Training Squadron, Det. 4, F-22 Raptor crew chief instructor, earned the Mission Ready Airman Instructor of the Year award during the 2012 Maintenance and Staff Professionals of the Year banquet in Hangar 1 March 15. The Dover, Del. native said it felt good to receive the award. The award recognizes outstanding Airmen who train maintainers. "I don't really like to toot my own horn," he said. "But it did feel really good to win this award." Sergeant Schlichting has been in the Air Force for five and a half years and has worked in the maintenance career field throughout his enlistment. His favorite part about his job is working with people. "I really love every aspect of my job," said Sergeant Schlichting. "The people I work with are like family to me. I love being a part of training the future of the Air Force to maintain air superiority." The MPOY banquet recognizes the achievements of the maintenance group and honors maintenance professionals each year. "Sergeant Schlichting has always shown a strong, desirable work ethic and it carries over to his students and their performance," said Tech. Sgt. Randy Helton, 372nd TRS, Det. 4., lead production scheduler. 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 recognizes these important professionals in their diversified career fields. For additional photos from the event, Common Access Card holders can click here.