43rd AMU recognizes 'top performers' in a unique way

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Veronica McMahon
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Various squadrons in the 325th Operations Group spent more than six months working longer shifts and extra days to prepare for the Logistics Compliance Assessment Program. The 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit took a different and unique approach to recognize some of their 'top performers' who helped contribute to the score of excellent.

"I was hyping it up. For maintenance this is our Super bowl," said Master Sgt. Stanley Wall, 43rd AMU crew chief. "This was the time to give people recognition; this was significant of what we've been preaching every day."

Of the 290 AMU personnel, 10 were unexpectedly recognized by their leadership with something slightly different then a coin, trophy or plaque. They all received an 'outstanding performer' game ball, presented by Col. Craig Hall, 325th Maintenance Group commander.

"The recipients had no clue," said Sergeant Wall. "They were all caught completely off guard."

Sergeant Wall acted as the 'head coach' and Capt. Chris Haley, 43rd AMU Officer in Charge, acted as the 'general manager.' Both signed the 'LCAP 2009 Top Performer' inscribed game balls.

"I was very surprised," said Senior Airman Michael Stone, 43rd AMU crew chief and game ball recipient. "It felt good to be one of the crew chiefs to get the game ball. I think a game ball was something different and a little more personal. It was also good to see the commander come out and give me the ball."

Each recipient was from a different shift; mid-shift, swing shift or day shift. Three individuals were chosen from the aircraft section, three from the weapons section, three from the specialist section and one from the support and supply section.

"(Receiving the ball) was an honor but it was credit of how everybody worked as a whole," said Airman 1st Class William Bryant, 43rd AMU Avionics specialist. "It felt good because everyone put in a lot of effort for at least six months. Receiving the ball came as a surprise and I'm proud of the results, we deserved the excellent rating."

Sergeant Wall said that preparation for the LCAP took more than six months, but the final month was crunch time.

"Everyone collectively came out to prepare for everything correctly," said Sergeant Wall. "This was our time to shine and the preparation really paid off."

"I'm so proud we got the excellent," said Staff Sgt. Audrey Chapman, 43rd AMU crew chief. "I was also outrageously surprised and ecstatic to receive the ball; I didn't think I was in the running for anything. It was awesome; they all surprised me with it in the middle of a job."

Sergeant Wall said the excellent results and the recognition of the Airmen was because of the appearance, attitude, hard work, their will to win, the determination in their eyes and that the effort was put in by all.

The other game ball recipients were: Staff Sgt. Jose Arispe, 43rd AMU weapons; Staff Sgt. Jason Hanks, 43rd AMU weapons; Senior Airman Andrew Cooper, 43rd AMU specialist; Airman 1st Class Alex Schemm, 43rd AMU specialist; Airman 1st Class Keith Bryan, 43rd AMU weapons; Airman Jesse Washam, 43rd AMU crew chief; and James McCallen, 43rd AMU support.