Laughlin NCO takes Air Force honor

  • Published
  • By Joel Langton
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  To say Tech. Sgt. Denise Kurpier, 47th Operations Support Squadron quality assurance inspector in Aircrew Flight Equipment, has a full plate would be the understatement of the decade. However, this busy NCO now has an Air Force level award to show for her efforts as she was named Aircrew Flight Equipment NCO of the Year recently.

When she was informed that her work section was going to have a quick meeting, she was just trying to use her time wisely and tie up a few loose ends on projects before the meeting started. Then, she saw just about her entire chain of command come walking in.

"I knew it was either something really good or something really bad," she said. It was the last in a long list of recent surprises for her. "I was surprised when I won at the Air Education and Training Command level. I've been in AETC for awhile and I know there are some great NCOs in our career field in this command and I'm just really proud to be in that group."

Her list of accomplishments for 2010, divided between two assignments, is extensive.

Completing courses, building databases and coordinating events litter the nomination form, but she said what she's really proud of is launching the Rising 6 at Laughlin. The Rising 6 is a group of enlisted Airmen with the ranks of airman basic to technical sergeant that meets and performs various community service activities.

"I was part of the Warrior 5-6 leadership at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. and I saw all of the good things it could do and I wanted the same thing for Laughlin," she said. "I just saw a need and I was trying to fill it."

Although she's active in the volunteer arena, she's a cornerstone in her work section as well and made herself a subject matter expert in her career field.

"I rely on her technical expertise of the life support career field a whole lot," said Master Sgt. Jennifer Cirricione, 47th Operations Support Squadron Aircrew Flight Equipment superintendent. "She has a wealth of technical expertise that makes her a perfect fit as the flight quality assurance inspector."

According to Cirricione, Kurpier mentors and trains Airmen, runs a stellar safety program and was vital in preparing her section for Laughlin's recent Unit Compliance Inspection.

Plus, when she's not keeping her section running smoothly or volunteering around base, she finds time to finish her bachelor's degree.

"I felt like it was important to get my degree to make me well rounded," she said. "And I wanted to show my kids that education is important."

With her ability to juggle several duties at once, she's managed to show her kids that a lot of things are important.