Captain earns CGO munitions manager award

  • Published
  • By Ashley M. Wright
  • 325th Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Capt. Arne R. Gjere, 325th FW Maintenance Squadron Munitions Flight commander, earned the Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Munitions Maintenance Manager Award in the company grade officer category during the 2012 Maintenance and Staff Professionals of the Year banquet March 15.

The Omaha, Neb. native received the award for enhancing maintenance readiness, improving efficiency and reducing waste by encouraging excellence in all maintenance areas.

"I don't really remember [winning] to be honest... One of my Airman, Tech. Sgt. Phil Thompson, won the same award in the NCO category; at the time, I was more excited that he picked it up," Captain Gjere said.

The humble captain has already won at the next level of competition, Air Education and Training Command.

Captain Gjere joined the Air Force six years ago and has worked in the maintenance career field for five of those years. His favorite part about his job is being part of a team with traditions of excellence.

"I love what we do and who I get to work with," Captain Gjere said. "Ammo has long maintained a reputation for getting the job done, and you would be hard pressed to find a group of Airmen that do a better job of looking out for each other."

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 recognizes these important professionals in their diversified career fields.