LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Joshua Sandoval, 47th Maintenance Directorate aerospace ground equipment repair technician, was chosen by wing leadership to be the “XLer” of the week, for the week of Feb. 25, 2019, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.
The “XLer” award, presented by Col. Todd Dyer, 47th Flying Training Wing vice commander, is given to those who consistently make outstanding contributions to their unit and the Laughlin mission.
A product of Laughlin’s “Grow Your Own” program, where Laughlin maintainers take Del Rio High School students through an internship-type program, Sandoval has been a Team XL member since graduating high school, and says his job has been a great blessing.
“I work for aerospace ground equipment (AGE),”Sandoval said. “My job on a daily basis is to make sure our equipment on our ready-line and in specific locations are fueled and operational for use. As part of AGE, I drive on the flightline to help support airplanes, hangars and maintainers with portable pneumatic, hydraulic, nitrogen and power carts. I also work in the shop to provide my skills in inspecting equipment for six month and one year inspections on all power and non-power equipment.”
He volunteered his own weekend and holiday time to train Laughlin’s deployed guests on proper aerospace ground equipment usage.
“While supporting the deployed guests with light, power and heat units, I help them with some knowledge so they can properly operate the units,” he said.
He made his work environment safer by identifying a problem with the heater units and made X people feel like a part of the team, even if they were away from home.
“On President’s Day, I went to work to refuel the units for the deployed guests, and it was a very cold day,” Sandoval recalled. “When I got to my last unit that needed service, I saw the heater was off. Upon inspecting the unit there was an oil leak in the system. At 36 degrees with the wind blowing it gets chilly, so I fixed the problem and got it working. I fixed it not only because it’s my job but if I were away from home and weather was a factor I would like someone to treat me like family and take care of me, even if it’s as small as keeping me warm.”
For his relentless work ethic and a family-oriented hospitality, Sandoval earned himself the “XLer of the Week.”